Tottenham Hotspur secured their first Premier League victory of the year by defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers, but pundits warn the north London club still faces a severe threat of relegation.

The much-needed triumph provided a rare moment of celebration for the deeply struggling side.

However, the consensus among experts suggests this belated upturn in form might not be enough to preserve their top-flight status.

Speaking on the Monday Night Club, football writer Mark Ogden and former striker Chris Sutton delivered a stark assessment of the predicament.

Late resurgence fails to mask deeper issues

Sutton and Ogden both argued that a catastrophic sequence of results prior to this vital win has left the squad with a monumental mountain to climb.

Discussing the broader context of the season, the panel did not hold back in their overall criticism of the campaign.

“Tottenham messed up.” Monday Night Club

The prominent analysts highlighted how the agonising wait for a domestic victory this calendar year has fundamentally damaged their survival prospects.

A precarious position in the standings

Despite claiming all three points against the West Midlands outfit, underlying structural issues continue to overshadow any immediate relief.

The north Londoners have endured a miserable run of form over recent months, dragging them unexpectedly deep into a chaotic battle at the bottom of the table.

Supporters had desperately hoped that this breakthrough result would act as a catalyst for a late surge towards safety.

Yet, the overriding studio verdict remains profoundly pessimistic regarding their continued presence in England’s premier division next season.

Uncapped teenager Tilly Corteen-Coleman has been called up to England’s Women’s T20 World Cup squad as Davina Perrin misses out on the home tournament.

Nat Sciver-Brunt will captain the side during her seventh appearance at the global showpiece.

The host nation begin their campaign later this summer with high hopes of repeating their famous 2009 title victory.

Surrey prospect among fresh faces

Corteen-Coleman is joined by Warwickshire fast bowler Issy Wong and Durham’s Lauren Filer in being selected for their first T20 World Cup.

The 18-year-old spinner’s inclusion comes at the expense of highly-rated batter Perrin, who failed to secure a spot in the final 15-player group.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge provides vital experience and is set to feature in her eighth edition of the tournament.

Somerset all-rounder Charlie Dean takes on the vice-captaincy duties, while Hampshire’s Lauren Bell will lead the pace attack.

‘Hardest selection meetings’

Head coach Charlotte Edwards admitted finalising the squad was an incredibly difficult process due to the depth of talent available.

This is the hardest set of selection meetings I have been a part of because the pool of players to choose from is so strong and so many talented players have put their hand up.

Charlotte Edwards, Head Coach

An ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on home soil is a special moment for the game in this country, and we are all really motivated by what could be ahead.

Sciver-Brunt echoed her coach’s enthusiasm, highlighting the profound honour of leading the team in front of passionate home supporters.

We can’t wait to get out onto the field and give it everything to win this World Cup again.

Nat Sciver-Brunt, Captain

England squad in full

Holders Bayern Munich will be without Serge Gnabry and Karl for their Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.

Despite the double injury blow, the reigning European champions have been boosted by the return of three key players ahead of Tuesday’s crucial fixture.

The German giants travel to the French capital looking to secure a first-leg advantage in their quest to retain the prestigious trophy.

Key trio returns for holders

The recovery of the returning trio provides a significant tactical advantage for the Bavarian outfit as they navigate this demanding away tie.

However, the absence of the lightning-fast Gnabry deprives the visitors of vital pace and directness in the attacking third.

The German international winger has been instrumental in past European campaigns, making his unavailability a notable setback for the current title holders.

Heavyweight clash in Paris

Paris Saint-Germain will hope to capitalise on their home advantage at a vibrant Parc des Princes on Tuesday evening.

The Ligue 1 heavyweights are desperate to conquer Europe and avenge previous tournament disappointments against the dominant Bundesliga giants.

This highly anticipated encounter marks another dramatic chapter in the growing modern rivalry between the two European powerhouse clubs.

Diego Simeone is aiming to secure an elusive Champions League crown as his Atletico Madrid side prepare to face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at the Metropolitano.

The Argentine manager has reached two previous finals in Europe’s elite competition but has yet to lift the prestigious trophy.

His current team stand just three games away from a potential crowning glory in what has been an astonishingly long managerial reign.

A shift from defensive solidity

This iteration of the Spanish club looks vastly different from the robust, defensive powerhouses the 54-year-old has traditionally built.

The Rojiblancos currently sit a distant fourth in La Liga and have endured a dismal run of form, losing seven of their last nine matches across all competitions.

They also hold the worst defensive record among the top 16 finishers in the initial European phase, conceding 18 times in their last nine outings.

Prolific attack compensates for frailties

Despite their uncharacteristic struggles at the back, the Madrid-based outfit have proven incredibly dangerous in the final third.

The La Liga side have netted 34 goals in the tournament this season, a tally bettered only by Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich.

Furthermore, with arch-rivals Real Madrid already eliminated, a significant historical hurdle has been removed for the former midfielder.

Parallels with the opposition

The upcoming clash against the Gunners pits two clubs desperate to shed their status as the biggest modern European sides never to win the tournament.

Arteta, much like his counterpart, is searching for a landmark continental trophy to validate the North London club’s recent domestic progress.

Both tacticians have built highly competitive squads, but only one can take the next crucial step toward European football’s ultimate prize.

Arsenal’s hopes of signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have been dealt a definitive blow after the Paris St-Germain winger’s father confirmed the player has no intention of leaving the French capital.

The Gunners had reportedly been exploring an ambitious summer move for the highly rated Georgian international to bolster their attacking options.

However, the player’s camp has firmly shut down any speculation regarding an imminent switch to the Premier League.

The forward is currently enjoying a prolific campaign in France and remains entirely focused on securing domestic and European success with his current employers.

‘He is not thinking about that’

Badri Kvaratskhelia, the player’s father, stated unequivocally that his son is completely content with his current situation under Luis Enrique.

“Khvicha leaving PSG? He’s not thinking about that.”

“He’s happy in Paris, where he is highly valued and respected by club.”

“Why should he think about moving elsewhere when he is winning titles with the team and is one of PSG’s key players?”

“If PSG no longer wishes to continue the cooperation, we will consider options, but for now, this is not being discussed.”

Arsenal seek alternative reinforcements

The dynamic attacker has registered 16 goals across all competitions this term, placing him alongside Ousmane Dembele as the Parisian outfit’s joint-top scorer.

Mikel Arteta’s side experienced the winger’s influence first-hand during their European semi-final encounter last season.

Despite possessing what is widely regarded as Europe’s most formidable defence, the North London club have occasionally faced criticism for lacking a clinical edge in the final third.

Consequently, Arsenal are actively pursuing alternative attacking targets to prepare for another Premier League title challenge.

Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez is reportedly among the names on the club’s revised transfer shortlist.

However, securing the Argentine’s signature could prove complicated, with Barcelona also tracking the forward as a potential long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

Nikola Jokic recorded a dominant triple-double as the Denver Nuggets staved off elimination with a 125-113 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of their Western Conference playoff series on Monday night.

The Serbian superstar registered 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds to end a frustrating three-game losing streak for the hosts.

Jamal Murray contributed 24 points to the vital victory, while Spencer Jones provided a crucial spark off the bench by adding 20.

Denver have now reduced their series deficit to 3-2, keeping their postseason hopes alive against an injury-hit Minnesota roster.

Jokic climbs all-time playoff list

The franchise cornerstone emphatically ended his recent statistical slump by securing his 23rd career postseason triple-double.

That remarkable achievement solidifies his position at third on the all-time playoff list for the prestigious statistical feat.

Monday’s victory allowed the third-seeded outfit to rediscover the formidable, fluid style of play that defined their regular season campaign.

Pivotal Game 6 awaits in Minneapolis

The bruising, physical encounter in Denver sets the stage for a decisive sixth game on Thursday night.

The action will now shift back to Minneapolis, where the reigning NBA champions must win again to force a winner-takes-all series finale.

Champions League holders Paris St-Germain will host Bayern Munich in their semi-final first leg on Tuesday, showcasing their most impressive football under manager Luis Enrique.

Despite previously boasting superstars like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, the current Parisian outfit is arguably playing the finest football in the club’s history.

The reigning European champions have consistently confused and outplayed elite opposition through a relentless focus on versatility and continuous positional rotation.

“It would be a dream to have 20 players who can play everywhere.”

The Spanish manager highlighted his commitment to developing a truly adaptable squad when speaking earlier this month.

Balancing structure with attacking freedom

The unique system was perfectly illustrated when right-back Achraf Hakimi scored from close range during last season’s European final victory.

Full-backs regularly invade the penalty area for the French giants, while traditional attackers often drop deep into defensive midfield roles.

Although this extreme fluidity might appear chaotic to onlookers, underlying coaching principles ensure the formation functions brilliantly.

Unlike peers such as Igor Tudor or Simone Inzaghi who encourage roaming centre-backs, Enrique insists his central defensive pairing remains rigidly fixed.

The concept of floaters and anchors

The former Barcelona boss believes a solid defensive foundation is absolutely essential to allow attacking talents to play with genuine freedom.

This tactical philosophy relies on designated ‘anchors’ occupying specific zones to provide the French champions with vital structural balance.

These anchoring positions include the two static centre-backs, touchline-hugging wide players, and a lone striker stretching the opposition defence.

Crucially, any player moving into these spaces can take up these anchoring responsibilities during a match.

Mastering dynamic zone replacements

If left-winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia moves infield, left-back Nuno Mendes will immediately advance to fill that vacated flank.

The coaching staff refer to these highly coordinated and predictable rotational movements as dynamic zone replacements.

Whenever a player vacates a designated area, a teammate seamlessly rotates into that exact position to maintain team equilibrium.

Meanwhile, the ‘floating’ players operate centrally and remain entirely unrestricted by the strict positional instructions given to the anchors.

These central orchestrators are granted complete licence to roam freely, frequently combining through rapid one-touch passing sequences in tight spaces.

AC Milan and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has undergone successful surgery on a fractured left cheekbone just weeks before the World Cup.

The 40-year-old sustained the facial injury during a collision with Juventus counterpart Manuel Locatelli in Sunday’s goalless Serie A draw at the San Siro.

He was substituted with 10 minutes remaining but remained on the bench until the final whistle despite being in clear pain.

Race against time for summer tournament

The Croatian Football Federation confirmed their national medical staff are in close dialogue with both the player and his Italian club.

This upcoming global showpiece, which begins on 11 June, marks the fifth time the midfield maestro is scheduled to participate at the tournament.

“I’ve been talking to Luka, and wished him a successful surgery and a quality and speedy recovery,” said Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic.
“I am convinced that he will do everything to be ready for the World Cup, and we’ll provide full support.”
“I am confident that the recovery will go according to plan and that Luka, as team captain, will lead us at another major competition this summer.”

Domestic campaign likely concluded

The veteran playmaker is now highly doubtful to feature in the remainder of the Serie A season run-in.

His club currently sit third in the Italian top flight, trailing league leaders Inter Milan by 12 points with just four matches remaining.

Should he recover sufficiently to lead his country, the national side captain will likely be forced to wear a protective medical mask.

Croatia have been drawn into Group L for the tournament and will face opening stage fixtures against England, Ghana and Panama.