PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER, 2025
(5.30 PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(0) LIVERPOOL 2(0)

Spurs scorer:-
Richarlison, 83

Liverpool scorers:-
Isak, 56
Ekitike, 66

Attendance:- 61,138

Referee:- John Brooks
Assistants:- Simon Bennett, James Mainwaring
Fourth official:- Anthony Taylor
VAR:- Stuart Attwell
Assistant VAR:- Adam Nunn

Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro, 17. Romero (Capt.) 37. Van de Ven, 24. Spence ; 20. Kudus (sub 22. Johnson, 58), 30. Bentancur, 14. Gray (sub 6. Palhinha, 71), 15. Bergvall (sub 28. Odobert, 71); 7. Xavi, 39. Kolo Muani (sub 9. Richarlison, 80)
(Armband to Van de Ven)

Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky; 3. Dragusin, 4. Danso, 33. Davies ; 11. Tel

Booked:- Romero (dissent after Ekitike goal), Van de Ven (foul on MacAllister), Bentancur (foul on Kerkez), Richarlison (Dissent)
(Thomas Frank was shown a yellow card for his dissent after Ekitike goal)

Sent off:- Xavi (after review of foul on Van Dijk, deemed to be dangerous), 33 minutes. Romero (second yellow for reaction to foul on him by Konate), 93 minutes.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1):- 1. Alisson; 12. Bradley (sub 9. Isak, 46, sub 30. Frimpong, 60, sub 14. Chiesa, 90), 5. Konate, 4. Van Dijk (Capt.), 6. Kerkez; 38. Gravenberch, 17. Jones; 8. Szoboszlai, 10. Mac Allister, 7. Wirtz (sub 42. Nyoni, 100); 22. Ekitike (sub 26. Robertson, 90+9)

Subs not used:- 25. Mamardashvili; 47. Ramsay, 92. Wellity Lucky; 73. Ngumoha

Booked:- Konate (foul on Muani), Szoboszlai (dissent), Mac Allister (foul on Pedro Porro)

9-man Spurs nearly got a draw!

You've heard of crazy golf. Well, this was crazy football, as played by Spurs. In moments they could be inspirational, indefatigable, and intuitive. Too often they were irresponsible, immature, or incompetent.

Regarding irresponsibility, the main offender was our captain Cristian Romero. Instead of leading and inspiring his team in a mature way, it was he, who played out an errant ball which led to Liverpool's first goal. It was he who got himself booked for dissent after Ekitike's goal, overdoing the protest over a push in the back. Finally, having won a free kick when fouled by Konate, Romero over-reacted and kicked out towards Konate's stomach and earned himself a second yellow card and his fourth red card in Spurs colours.

Romero's last red had been against Chelsea in that crazy game in November 2023 when we also went down to nine men. As then, Spurs actually had their opponents on the back foot. Arne Slot even brought on two subs in the last throes of added time to eke out the seconds.

Spurs had been holding their own until Xavi was sent off for a studs-high tackle upon his international captain after half an hour. There was no need for any such challenge in the middle of the field, with no immediate threat. Referee John Brooks, under whom Spurs were undefeated last season, initially booked Xavi, but ultimately was called to the monitor and inevitably produced the red. Xavi can have Christmas off now as he will miss three games. Our captain won't be at Selhurst Park next week when no doubt "Doctor Tottenham" will tend to Palace's recent reversal of form.

One of our greatest Premier League creators Darren Anderton was interviewed pre-match and the wonderful gentleman footballer Gary Mabbutt cheered us up at half-time. How we could benefit from the skills and attributes of both these former players now.

Spurs had their moments. Liverpool looked moderate. There were some clever flicks and quick attacks, but too often we made poor passes out of play (Bergvall was guilty once or twice). I would have liked to have seen more speed of thought and action instead of some ponderous play when in possession. Romero didn't help here either.

The crowd figure was good, but there was an inordinate number of half and half scarves to be seen. These people do not understand the hatred of the colour red! For all the hoops we regulars have to go through to follow our team up and down the country and across Europe, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium still attracts a number of "tourists." Perhaps they were Liverpool fans in disguise. After all, Ekitike scored in front of the away fans but celebrated on the wrong side of the North Stand. Perhaps he knew something.

Djed Spence made an exciting run and his ball to Kudus gave promise, but referee Brooks had spotted a Liverpool player writhing on the floor and brought a stop to play. This was the first of many occasions when the red-shirted ones went to ground. The black-shirted one was seen to be too sympathetic by the home fans who grew more and more irritated. It's not too often you hear "You're not fit to referee" from our fans.

Spurs won an attacking throw after a clever flick by Xavi and a deep cross by Kudus. Kudus was advancing and it looked as if we would have another promising attack, but the referee found a foul against Szoboszlai. Vicario held Van Dijk's header after the free kick was floated in from the left.

Kudus and Pedro Porro attacked down the right wing. Pedro Porro crossed and Kolo Muani met it with a header, but the ball went too high off the target. Bergvall and Spence combined on the other side and Spence was getting the better of Bradley, but again the referee found a foul against us.

Spence was to the fore again before and after another Pedro Porro cross. Djed headed the ball back into the danger zone and this time Muani hit the target with his header, but Alisson saved.

Then came the sending off for Xavi.

Vicario saved well from Wirtz's shot. Spurs broke forward from the corner and Pedro Porro's cross beat Alisson with Muani one off the waiting attackers. Spurs couldn't take advantage. In another attack, Djed made it into the box and argued for a penalty when colliding with Bradley, but the decision was no foul!

Arne Slot clearly wanted to soup up his attack against ten men and replaced Bradley with Isak at half-time. Szoboszlai nominally took up the right side of defence, but Liverpool's intent was clear.

Pedro Porro blocked a shot by Mac Allister. Spence and Bergvall attacked again down the left flank. Spence's run was brought to an end and guess what - there was no foul!

My view is that Liverpool's first goal was the result of a poor short pass played centrally at the back by Romero. Liverpool pounced and Wirtz provided the pass that left Isak in space to score. He was clattered by Micky van de Ven in the process and was unable to continue.

Kudus was replaced by Brennan Johnson, who was fired up and could play on his favoured right side. He delivered a decent cross when play resumed, but we couldn't take advantage.

Muani was giving his all and advanced to a shooting position towards the right of the area. He lifted a shot over Alisson, but the ball rebounded off the crossbar. Alisson held Spence's follow-up shot.

Liverpool won a corner at the other end and Ekitike headed in from close range. Romero claimed he had been pushed in the back, and there was a review, but the goal stood. I understand that even Jamie Redknapp (not Spurs' biggest supporter) thought the goal should have been disallowed.

Muani was replaced by Richarlison, who scored within three minutes. The goal followed Pedro Porro's corner from the right and a bit of a scramble with substitute Palhinha getting a touch, but "Richie" scored with a low shot inside Alisson's right post. "Richie" is our top league scorer, and this was his seventh of the season. We had to wait a for another lengthy VAR review before we could celebrate again.

The ten men went all out for an equaliser, and few were leaving the ground. Johnson found Richarlison with a through ball and Alisson saved. We also had a handball appeal turned down.

Nine minutes of added time were announced. Romero was sent off in the third minute of this period. Pedro Porro's free kick was on target but held by Alisson.

The crowd was roaring the team on, and another Pedro Porro effort was deflected and saved. It is true to say that Liverpool held out in some desperation against nine determined men.

The stats regarding our home league wins in 2025 are distressing. We've managed only five, two of which have been this season. We've slipped to thirteenth position and could drop further.

To be honest, watching Spurs these days is as depressing as I can recall.

One positive note is that Radu Dragusin was on the bench and was cheered loudly when warming up. He will be competing with Kevin Danso for Romero's spot at Palace next Sunday.

Do try and enjoy your Christmas!

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