“Pressure is going to start to build” – BBC Radio 5 Live pundit drops worrying Tottenham claim
According to BBC Radio 5 Live expert Matthew Upson, Tottenham Hotspur head Ange Postecoglou will feel increasing pressure following his team’s defeat to Arsenal in the north London derby.
Due to a close 1-0 setback at home against their fierce rivals, Spurs suffered their second Premier League defeat of the year on Sunday. After some shoddy home team defence when facing a corner, defender Gabriel Magalhaes scored the game’s lone goal just after the hour mark.
In their first game of the season, Postecoglou’s team only managed a 1-1 draw against Leicester City. Prior to the international break, they were defeated 2-1 by Newcastle United. The only success they have had thus far came in the shape of a 4-0 triumph.
Postecoglou in Midst of Difficult Spell at Spurs
North Londoners suffered derby defeat to Arsenal
Upson, who played for West Ham United and the Gunners among other teams, stated that Postecoglou will under criticism if he is unable to manage a winning streak in the wake of Tottenham’s loss to Arsenal. Since taking over as manager of Spurs last summer, the Greek-Australian strategist has led the team to a fifth-place finish in his debut season.
Upson, though, is critical of the team’s defensive play and feels that summer acquisition Dominic Solanke has had difficulty getting off to a quick start. Spurs made a statement when they acquired the former Bournemouth striker for £65 million during the transfer window.
Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live:
It’s a serious issue that Tottenham is so vulnerable defensively. What’s really hammered home is that they’re not being clinical enough either.
They aren’t banging the ball in the back of the net, which is necessary if they want to be so offensive, open, and free. Dominic Solanke is off to a difficult start. He faced off against two of the top players of the day.
“The manager is going to feel a little bit more pressure.”
Why Timber Was Not Sent Off Against Spurs
It was a controversial moment in the North London derby
As tensions rose throughout the first half of the derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Jurrien Timber of Arsenal managed to escape receiving his matching order. Tensions reached a breaking point after the Dutchman gave Spurs’ Pedro Porro a strong challenge.
Timber snatched the Italian goalie Guglielmo Vicario’s shirt from Lilywhites during the brawl. Vicario received a warning for starting the disturbance, and Timber was scheduled for the challenge on Porro.
| Tottenham vs Arsenal match statistics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stat: | Tottenham | Arsenal |
| Ball possession | 64% | 36% |
| Expected goals | 0.74 | 0.73 |
| Big chances | 0 | 2 |
| Total shots | 15 | 7 |
| Fouls | 13 | 10 |
| Yellow cards | 5 | 3 |
Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville claimed that those present at Stockley Park examined Timber’s challenge. It is said that the defender made contact with the ball but did not make contact with it, preventing the yellow card from being escalated.
The Premier League match centre verified on X that referee Jarred Gillett’s on-field ruling was upheld, however VAR did check for a possible red card. Arsenal had already lost midfielder Declan Rice to suspension, so their escape was fortunate.
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