Tottenham’s Premier League survival hopes suffered a devastating blow as a chaotic home defeat by Crystal Palace sparked a mass exodus of supporters before half-time.
Igor Tudor’s side capitulated after taking an early lead, conceding three goals in a frantic 12-minute spell.
The collapse was precipitated by a red card for defender Micky van de Ven, who conceded a penalty to turn the tide against the hosts.
Historic lows for North London club
Spurs remain the only top-flight team yet to register a victory in 2026.
Their current 11-match winless streak is the club’s most barren run in the league since 1935.
With just nine fixtures remaining, the struggling side sit a mere point above the relegation zone.
The threat of losing their Premier League status for the first time is now a genuine reality.
Tudor questions player commitment
The Croatian interim boss has now lost all three of his matches since taking charge last month.
Despite previously insisting the club was safe from the drop, Tudor struck a darker tone following the final whistle.
“Of course I understand the fans leaving. It’s normal, they wanted more.”
Igor Tudor, Tottenham interim manager
The former Marseille coach suggested a clear-out may be necessary within the squad.
“I need to choose the right guys: Who is in the boat and who will leave the boat,” he added.
Tudor refused to comment on his own future, despite mounting speculation regarding his tenure.
‘Anxiety all through the stadium’
The final whistle was met with a chorus of jeers from the few supporters who remained inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Former England winger Joe Cole suggested the players looked devoid of belief and fight.
“Anxiety was all through the stadium. The whole performance was tepid.”
Joe Cole, TNT Sports pundit
Cole noted that the atmosphere had shifted from anger to resignation.
“It feels like they have given up,” he observed.
“It looks like the fans are disillusioned, disenchanted and not believing it.”
Supporters fear the worst
The mood among the fanbase has hit rock bottom following a season of instability.
Since moving to their new stadium in 2019, the club has cycled through six permanent managers and four interim appointments.
Fan Chris Cowlin told BBC Radio 5 Live that the situation was becoming unbearable for supporters.
“I’m lost for words over what I’ve seen tonight. You want fight, desire and most importantly points.”
Chris Cowlin, Tottenham supporter
Cowlin admitted the prospect of Championship football is looming large.
“It is too much for a lot of people and this is the reality that Spurs might get relegated,” he said.
Morocco have appointed Mohamed Ouahbi as their new head coach after parting company with Walid Regragui less than four months before the World Cup finals.
Ouahbi, 49, has been promoted from the under-23 setup to take immediate charge of the senior national team.
The appointment mirrors the arrival of his predecessor in August 2022, just three months prior to the tournament in Qatar.
“The objective is to ensure the continuous development of Moroccan football through a structured roadmap,” a federation statement read.
Regragui’s historic tenure ends
Regragui, 50, etched his name into sporting folklore by guiding the Atlas Lions to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
They became the first African nation in history to reach the last four on the global stage.
However, the former Wydad Casablanca boss had been under intense scrutiny following a heartbreaking defeat in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
The North Africans lost a dramatic showpiece against Senegal on home soil, marred by a missed stoppage-time penalty from Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz.
‘A new lease of life’
“The team needs a fresh face, a different energy, and a new perspective with a new coach,” Regragui admitted upon his departure.
“I think the team needs a new lease of life before the World Cup, a new vision to continue progressing.”
Speculation regarding the manager’s future had been mounting within the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) for several weeks.
Captain Achraf Hakimi paid tribute on social media, stating the departing coach left an “unforgettable mark” on the country’s footballing history.
World Cup countdown
Ouahbi now faces a race against time to prepare his squad for a daunting Group C opener against five-time champions Brazil on 13 June.
The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, will also see Morocco face Scotland and Haiti.
Preparations begin immediately with friendly matches against Ecuador and Paraguay scheduled for the upcoming international window.
Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team-mates have visited the White House to meet President Donald Trump following their maiden MLS Cup triumph.
The reigning champions were invited to the executive mansion in Washington DC to commemorate winning the nation’s top-flight division title in December.
Co-owner and former England captain David Beckham accompanied the squad for the ceremony ahead of their league fixture against DC United on Saturday.
The players stood on stage as President Trump addressed the media, highlighting the impact the Argentine forward has made since arriving in the United States.
Trump praises ‘incredible’ Messi
During the address, the president revealed a conversation with his son regarding the visit of the football icon.
“My son [Barron] said, ‘Dad, do you know who’s going to be there today?’ I said, ‘no, I’ve got a lot of things going on’,” Trump said.
“He said, ‘Messi!’ He’s a big fan of yours. He thinks you’re a great person and I think you got to meet a little while ago.”
The 38-year-old forward was personally thanked by the president for choosing to continue his career in Florida rather than elsewhere.
“Leo claimed the 47th trophy of his incredible career – the most of all time,” Trump added.
“You could have gone anywhere in the world, any team in the world, and you chose Miami. I just want to thank you for bringing us all on this ride.”
Historic era for the Herons
The White House visit caps a period of sustained success for the franchise, who secured the MLS Cup for the first time in their history last winter.
The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain attacker has been central to that rise, recently committing his future to the club with a new contract running until 2028.
His influence on the pitch remains undiminished, having become the first player in the league’s history to win the Most Valuable Player award in back-to-back seasons.
Tottenham remained in serious relegation trouble after suffering a damaging 3-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace which saw Micky van de Ven sent off.
Spurs had initially taken the lead through Dominic Solanke after surviving an early scare from the visitors.
The match turned when Van de Ven received a straight red card for pulling back Ismaila Sarr inside the penalty area.
Sarr converted the resulting spot-kick to level the scores before Palace ruthlessly exploited their numerical advantage.
Jorgen Strand Larsen and Sarr added further goals before half-time to condemn the hosts to another demoralising loss.
The result leaves Igor Tudor’s side just one point above the Premier League drop zone.
Vicario struggles prove costly
While the dismissal of the Dutch defender was a pivotal moment, much of the post-match scrutiny focused on the performance of Guglielmo Vicario.
The Italian goalkeeper was criticised for his reaction times during Palace’s rapid-fire double before the break.
Strand Larsen was able to slide the ball through the shot-stopper’s legs to give the Eagles the lead.
Moments later, hesitation from the former Empoli man allowed Sarr to prod home a third, leaving defenders Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso visibly frustrated.
Data from the match suggested the keeper conceded nearly 1.5 goals more than the expected goals (xG) model predicted.
Fans turn on ‘calamitous’ display
Tension inside the stadium was palpable as supporters voiced their displeasure at the club’s precarious league position.
Social media reaction was particularly fierce regarding the goalkeeping display.
“Vicario fighting to get us relegated.”
Another supporter offered a scathing assessment of the 2026 form slump.
“I detest Vicario. He’s an absolute disgrace.”
Despite being sent out early for the second half by Tudor, the north London side could not mount a comeback.
With time running out to secure survival, pressure is mounting on the manager to make significant changes to his starting line-up.
A Real Oviedo supporter is facing a potential 15-month prison sentence after racially abusing Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford during a match last September.
The 19-year-old accused directed a racist slur at the England international while he was preparing to take a corner kick at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium.
Captured on video by a spectator, the footage circulated rapidly on social media and has been viewed nearly 29 million times.
Spanish police identified the individual through stadium security cameras, leading to charges of a hate crime within a sporting environment.
Prosecution demands and potential penalties
The Prosecutor’s Office is treating the incident as a crime against dignity on racist grounds, alongside an offence against moral integrity.
Authorities stated the abuse was clearly audible to other spectators and was intended to cause the Manchester United loanee "frustration, shame and humiliation".
Beyond the custodial sentence, prosecutors are seeking a fine of €2,880 (£2,500) and a four-year disqualification from working in teaching or sports sectors.
A stadium ban exceeding five years is also being requested, which would cover fixtures organised by La Liga, the RFEF, UEFA and FIFA.
Even if the court finds guilt solely on the charge against moral integrity, prosecutors will still pursue the same jail term and stadium exclusion.
Wider context and league situation
This is not an isolated incident at the venue, with Spanish media reporting a separate case involving Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe at the same ground in August.
Rashford, who moved to Catalonia on a season-long loan last summer, recently returned to action following a knee injury.
The 27-year-old featured off the bench in the recent 4-1 victory over Villarreal.
Barcelona currently sit top of the La Liga table, holding a four-point advantage over rivals Real Madrid ahead of their trip to Athletic Club.
Nottingham Forest’s global head of football Edu Gaspar has been instructed to stay away from the club’s facilities as he nears an exit from the City Ground.
The Brazilian administrator has reportedly been told not to attend the stadium or the training ground, according to The Telegraph.
His expected departure comes amidst a tumultuous campaign for the club, which has seen drastic changes in personnel both in the dugout and the boardroom.
A season of upheaval at Forest
It has been a chaotic season for the East Midlands side, who are currently working under their fourth manager of the campaign.
Nuno Espirito Santo began the term in charge but was dismissed after just a few games to be replaced by Ange Postecoglou.
The tenure of the former Tottenham boss proved short-lived, with Sean Dyche subsequently appointed in an attempt to steer the team away from the relegation zone.
Dyche was relieved of his duties in February, leaving Vitor Pereira as the latest incumbent in the hot seat.
Edu set for imminent departure
Amidst the managerial turnover, the position of the club’s transfer chief appears to have become untenable.
Reports suggest that the decision to ban the former Arsenal midfielder from the premises signals the end of his tenure as global head of football.
The specific reasons behind the breakdown in the relationship have not yet been confirmed by the club.
Barcelona have emerged as the most dominant team in Europe since the turn of the year, eclipsing the consistency of Arsenal and Bayern Munich in the latest power rankings.
Hansi Flick’s side have surged to the top of the performance charts based on data analyzed from matches played since 5 January.
The Catalan giants have recorded an adjusted goal differential significantly higher than their continental rivals across their last 13 fixtures.
Flick’s side surging in 2026
While the 2025-26 campaign has been largely defined by English and German dominance, the momentum has shifted to Spain in recent months.
Barcelona have secured 30 points from their last 13 outings, averaging 2.31 points per game.
This run includes six victories by a margin of three goals or more.
Remarkably, the La Liga leaders have achieved these results despite their forward line statistically underperforming in front of goal.
Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez have combined for just 11 goals from chances worth 19.3 expected goals (xG).
This suggests the team is creating an overwhelming number of high-quality chances, even if finishing has been profligate.
The data highlights a resilience within the squad, particularly following a heavy 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.
Flick’s men responded to that setback by overturning the deficit in the return leg to maintain their pursuit of silverware.
Arsenal and Bayern set early standard
Although Barcelona are currently the hottest team on the continent, the broader season has been dictated by two other heavyweights.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich secured the top two points totals in the Champions League league phase.
Mikel Arteta’s side achieved a flawless campaign in Europe, taking a perfect 24 points from eight matches.
The Gunners remain in contention for domestic cup honours and continue to set the pace in the Premier League.
Similarly, the German giants have led the Bundesliga virtually from the start of the season to the present.
Vincent Kompany’s side only dropped points in Europe against Arsenal, underlining the elite standard set by both clubs.
However, as the season approaches the crucial stretch run in March, the data suggests the gap at the top has closed.
Testing schedule awaits
Barcelona’s credentials will be severely tested in the coming weeks.
Upcoming fixtures include a Champions League double-header against Newcastle United and a difficult trip to Athletic Club.
They also face a domestic showdown with Sevilla before travelling to Atletico Madrid in early April.
Maintaining their status as Europe’s form side will require navigating this congested fixture list without a drop in performance levels.
Norway manager Stale Solbakken has insisted Martin Odegaard’s knee injury is “nothing serious” despite the Arsenal captain missing the club’s last two matches.
The Gunners playmaker has been sidelined with a recurring issue originally sustained during a 1-1 draw against Brentford last month.
Although Odegaard returned briefly for the north London derby against Tottenham, he was subsequently absent for crucial Premier League victories over Chelsea and Brighton.
However, Solbakken has moved to allay fears regarding the midfielder’s long-term fitness.
Focus on summer recovery
Speaking to Scandinavian broadcaster Viaplay, the national team boss suggested the enforced rest could ultimately benefit the player.
“There is nothing serious about Martin. The most important thing is that he recovers completely and is good for us in the summer.”
Stale Solbakken, Norway Manager
With Norway preparing for the World Cup in North America, Solbakken is prioritizing his captain’s condition for the tournament.
“For those of us who care about the World Cup, it’s not a disaster that he’s getting some breaks now,” Solbakken added.
“He’s going to rebuild and be crucial for Arsenal in April-May and maybe late March.”
A fragmented campaign
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had remained coy regarding the 27-year-old’s status prior to the win at the Amex Stadium.
When quizzed on a potential return date for his skipper, the Spaniard simply remarked “we’ll see”.
It has been an injury-hit season for the Premier League leaders’ creative hub, despite him tallying 20 top-flight appearances so far.
Earlier in the campaign, shoulder issues forced him off during victories over Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
He also suffered an MCL knee injury against West Ham in October, which sidelined him until a Champions League return against Bayern Munich in late November.
International ambitions
The north London club remain optimistic that Odegaard will play a key role in their pursuit of silverware across four competitions.
Simultaneously, Norway are relying on their leader to be fit for the summer finals.
Odegaard missed his nation’s final three qualifiers but travelled to support the squad as they defeated Italy to book their place at the tournament.
Norway are set to face France and Senegal in the group stages later this year.