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4CONTENTSTHFCFront cover: Joao Palhinha scores with a spectacular effort against Bournemouth earlier this month17.01.26PREMIER LEAGUESPURS VS WEST HAM UNITEDFOOTBALL LEAGUE:1950/51, 1960/61FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP:1971, 1973, 1999, 2008FA CUP:1901, 1921, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1981, 1982, 1991UEFA CUP:1972, 1984UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE WINNERS2025EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS' CUP:1963FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO:1919/20, 1949/50CHARITY SHIELD:1920/21, 1951/52, 1961/62, 1962/63, 1967/68 (joint), 1981/82(joint), 1991/92(joint)
THFCTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FOOTBALL AND ATHLETIC CO. LTD, REG. OFFICE: LILYWHITE HOUSE, 782 HIGH ROAD, LONDON, N17 0BXNon-Executive Chairman: Peter CharringtonChief Executive Officer: Vinai VenkateshamOperations and Finance Director: Matthew CollecottLead Independent Director: Jonathan TurnerHead Coach: Thomas FrankFirst Team Assistant Coaches: Justin Cochrane, Andreas GeorgsonHead of Performance & First Team Assistant Coach: Chris HaslamFirst Team Individual Development Coach: Cameron CampbellFirst Team Goalkeeper Coach: Fabian OtteSpurs Hotline: 0344 499 5000Textphone Service for Deaf or Hard of Hearing: 020 8365 5194Email: [email protected] PROGRAMMEHead of Publications: Jon RaynerContributors: John Chambers,Rob Daly, John Fennelly, Andy Greeves, Will Holderness, Paul Miles, Billy Shaw, Cameron ScottREACH SPORT: Content Sales Director: Fergus McKennaHead of Commercial Partnerships: David ScrippsCommissioning Editor: Clare FitzsimonsOperations Manager:Nick MoretonCommissioning Editor, Sport & General Interest: Simon MonkDesigner: Tom RogersMarketing & Communications Manager: Claire Brown Photography: Shutterstock, THFC, Alamy, Mirrorpix, Getty ImagesPrinted by: BishopsPublished byFor matchday programme subscriptions, email:[email protected] Coach Thomas Frank wants to use the hurt of our FA Cup exit to fuel an upturn in fortunesWe put the spotlight on Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham squad, with facts, profiles, classic shirts and legendary playersExclusive interview with new signing Conor Gallagher, who can’t wait to show the fans what he can do on the pitchOur former striker Fredi Kanoute looks back at a catalogue of memorable strikes in a Spurs shirt
6THFCThere were positives to take, especially our second half performance, where we were aggressive, intense, energetic and passionate – characteristics that I want us to show every time we step onto the pitch. We know that we need to perform like that more often. The atmosphere in that second half was electric. You could see the impact your incredible support had on the team and it almost sucked the ball into the net. The unity between the fans and team was fantastic, even though ultimately it wasn’t to be.We must use that hurt as fuel for the rest of the season and there is still plenty to play for over the remaining months, both in the Premier League and Champions League.That has been the focus of a full week of training, in which we have also welcomed new faces, both on and off the pitch.I’m delighted to welcome Conor Gallagher into our squad, who THOMASIt was disappointing to exit the FA Cup to Aston Villa last weekend and it FRANKwas a result that hurt us all.
THFC“THE UNITY BETWEEN THE FANS AND TEAM WAS FANTASTIC”joined us on Wednesday from Atletico Madrid.Conor is an exceptional midfielder with fantastic experience across the Premier League, La Liga and at international level. He’s also a top character who will bring additional leadership to the dressing room.We also strengthened our coaching staff with the arrival of John Heitinga as First Team Assistant Coach.John was a formidable player, who was well known in the Premier League for his time at Everton and Fulham. As a former defender, that will be his main focus on the training pitch.Since retiring, he has coached and managed some of the biggest clubs in the world, including helping Liverpool lift the Premier League title last season. His ability, personality and character will add huge value to us in all areas.I know you will give both Conor and John a warm welcome today, as we look to bounce back to winning ways against West Ham United.Our opponents have endured a tough first half to the season, however they have a good manager in Nuno Espírito Santo and a squad full of talented players. We have to be ready for them - and we will be.Our victory at London Stadium in September was a memorable performance and result and we want to replicate that this afternoon. These games are always a special occasion and I’m looking forward to another fantastic atmosphere.Together, I have no doubt that we can achieve great things and I am looking forward to taking another step forward on that journey today.
8THFCDEAR SUPPORTERS,As we reach the halfway point of our season, I wanted to share an update on our plans for the future. The joint ambition of our Executive Team, Board and The Lewis Family is clear: to see our Men’s team competing regularly in the Champions League and for major trophies, while significantly raising the competitive level of our Women’s team.Our focus is sporting success, and in that we share the same ambition as our supporters. We know that words carry little weight without action, which is why recent months have been spent undertaking a thorough review of our operations. Opportunities for a genuine reset are rare in clubs of our size and we have been determined not to waste this moment as we make the changes needed behind the scenes to compete consistently at the highest level. Football has changed significantly in recent years and, while the Club has evolved and achieved incredible things, we recognise that in some key areas we have not always kept pace. We all feel the gap between where we are and where we want to be and, while we know progress takes time, we share your impatience to close it. Our supporters want wins and performances to be proud of and we know the Men’s first team has fallen short of where we want to be so far this season. Significant work is underway and I wanted to set out the key areas of focus.PLAYER TRADINGWe believe in our current squad, but must add more quality, experience and leadership to compete consistently at the highest level. Doing so requires a more proactive approach to recruitment, alongside a wage structure that supports our ambition.We are fully focused on strengthening the squad in January where the right opportunities exist, while recognising that the most significant player trading activity typically comes in summer windows. Our priority is to make signings that genuinely move us forward and we will be disciplined against that aim. Player trading is also about knowing when to sell and being decisive about moving players on who are not part of our future. Doing so is essential to maximising value and managing our financial fair play obligations. Despite common belief, we are not immune to these rules and must carefully manage our squad development plans against them.This focus is reflected in the appointment of Rafi Moersen from City Football Group as Director of Football Operations. When he joins later this year, reporting into our Sporting Director, Johan Lange, he will play a central role in shaping and executing our player transactions and supporting the wider football operation.
THFC“WE ARE BUILT ON THE LOYALTY, PASSION AND COMMITMENT OF THOSE WHO FOLLOW US, AND WE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE WHAT SUPPORTING OUR CLUB MEANS.”ACADEMYA productive Academy is vital to our future. It provides first-team players without transfer fees and enables investment elsewhere in the squad. Crucially, it also develops players who grow up as supporters and truly understand what it means to pull on a Spurs shirt. While there has been good progress in recruitment and coaching in recent years, we must deliver greater first-team minutes and transfer returns from our Academy. We have therefore committed additional investment to strengthen the Academy pipeline of players and to support the systems needed for it to flourish.PLAYER SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENTWhilst coaching is of course critical, and we have strengthened Thomas Frank’s coaching staff with the appointment of John Heitinga, maximising performance is about more than coaching alone. We must be world class in performance services, including medical care, sports science, nutrition and psychology, to ensure players are available and primed to compete at the highest level.We have made several changes in this area, most notably the appointment of Dan Lewindon as Performance Director, who joins us next month from City Football Group.SUPPORTERSPerhaps most importantly, we know there is distance between the Club and our supporters and we are committed to rebuilding that connection. With your input, we have introduced initiatives such as the new Sonny mural, ticketing changes and a trial singing section and we will continue to work closely with the Fan Advisory Board.Making matches more accessible for younger fans is a priority and we will be reviewing concession policies for junior supporters and young adults ahead of next season. We want Tottenham Hotspur to be a club that feels open, welcoming and connected to the communities it represents.To strengthen engagement, we appointed Kate Miller as Chief Communications Officer in November and Adam Gardiner as Chief Marketing Officer this month. Along with Rafi, they form part of a newly established Executive Team under my leadership, reflecting a more modern and collaborative structure.I want to be clear that our ambition extends beyond the Men’s team. We are committed to raising the competitive level of our Women’s team and have invested significantly during the January transfer window, with early signs of progress already evident this season. Growing the support and following for Spurs Women is a key focus for us going forward.I appreciate this has been a lengthy update, but I wanted to be open about where we want to be and how we are working to get there.Tottenham Hotspur cannot exist without you, our supporters. We are built on the loyalty, passion and commitment of those who follow us, and we do not underestimate what supporting our Club means. Your dedication matters deeply. Thank you for your ongoing support. We are determined to deliver a future that reflects it.Best wishes,Vinai
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THFCRob Daly, official club commentator, presenter and pundit, offers his expert analysis and discusses some of the key talking points ahead of today’s game.West Ham United are without a league win in more than two months, so can one fit-again winger and two new strikers save them from the drop? Vulnerability from set-pieces have been a problem – one Spurs can exploit.WHAT HAS HAPPENED AT WEST HAM?In late September, Graham Potter was sacked with the Hammers in 19th, boasting just three points from five games. Nuno Espirito Santo’s subsequent appointment seemed a smart one – a manager more tactically aligned to previously successful boss David Moyes.West Ham drew 1-1 at Everton in Nuno’s opening game, a credible start, and while losses to Arsenal, Brentford and Leeds followed, they then beat Newcastle and Burnley in early November.However, there has been no league win since,10 games without victory, as Nuno chops and changes tactics and personnel to try to find the right formula.The former Spurs boss had tremendous joy playing three at the back at Forest – but has mainly used a 4-2-3-1 at West Ham. Regardless, they just haven’t been able to shore things up at the back.HOW THE HAMMERS CONCEDEWest Ham have the league’s leakiest defence (43 against) while there’s been a huge vulnerability from crosses into the box.They’ve conceded from the most headers (11) and set-pieces (18) in the Premier League.This is good news for Spurs, having scored the opener from a corner against West Ham back in September through Pape Matar Sarr, before Lucas Bergvall made it 2-0 with a special header of his own.In fact, no team has scored more goals from corners in the Premier League this season than Spurs (11).CAN SUMMERVILLE SAVE THEIR SEASON?Having joined for £25m from Leeds in August 2024, Crysencio Summerville’s signing looked a coup for West Ham – the then-reigning Championship Player of the Year.However, a hamstring injury ended his season in January 2025, and Nuno has been slowly integrating him back into the team recently.“He’s still looking for that goal…he’s a talented player that needs to exploit his actions better,” the manager said before last weekend’s cup tie with QPR.The Dutch winger delivered with a thumping first half strike, further well saved attempts before producing a remarkable pirouette away from his full-back in extratime to set up Taty Castellanos’ winner.“I just try to do my best in the games and I’m trying to show the fans what they’ve been missing in the nine months without Crysencio Summerville,” he said post-match.TWO NEW STRIKERSThe Hammers have made moves to change their frontline options, with Niklas Fullkrug loaned out to AC Milan, while Callum Wilson seems out of the picture, with the club spending £47m total on two new strikers.Pablo Felipe scored 10 goals in 13 league games this season for Portuguese side Gil Vicente – a penalty box finisher, good in the air, and he’ll look to press the centre-backs when Spurs play out.The 27-year-old Taty Castellanos meanwhile is more experienced, having made his Argentina debut in 2024.He scored 22 goals in 98 games for Lazio, including two this season, while his FA Cup winner last week, in just his second game for West Ham, was a powerful header.“Every match is a battle, and I’m here to contribute that, to try to bring that energy, that fighting spirit I have inside, so that every match is as important and as tough as possible.”That’ll be music to West Ham fan’s ears – and with only seven different scorers this season (a Premier League low) they need the new signings to hit the ground running.THE DALY BRIEF
1 2THFCNAME CHECK…STEWART• Following our 3-0 win at the London Stadium in September, we are looking to complete a league double over West Ham for the first time since 2019-20.• Each of our last 10 Premier League goals against the Hammers have been scored by different players (Romero, Johnson, Kulusevski, Bissouma, Areola og, Son, Odobert, Sarr, Bergvall, van de Ven).• We have lost just three of our last 23 home Premier League games against West Ham (W13 D7), winning three of the last four.• West Ham have lost all six of their Premier League London derbies this season, failing to score in their last three.• Six of our seven Premier League wins this season have been to nil, the exception being our 2-1 win at Leeds United in October.STEWART, PAULEnjoyed four years here, scoring in our 1991 FA Cup Final success and named man of the match. Featured 171 times in our colours, scoring 37 goals and made 600 career appearances with spells at the likes of Blackpool, Manchester City, Liverpool and Sunderland.Setting the scene for today’s Premier League clash against West Ham UnitedOpposing players who share a surnameMATCIN FOCUS FiveFACTS A London derby awaits us in N17 this afternoon, not that our visitors will be relishing that considering their form in capital clashes this season.The Hammers arrive here today on a 10-game winless run in the Premier League, not to mention losing all six of their league derbies this term. Only Fulham (13) ad QPR (7) have ever lost seven or more such fixtures in a row. West Ham did beat QPR in the FA Cup last weekend, thanks to an extra-time strike from Taty Castellanos, while their last league success was a 3-2 home win over Burnley in early November.They are managed, of course, by our former boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who will be facing a club he’s previously managed for the third straight league game, after recent defeats to Wolves (0-3) and Nottingham Forest (1-2). Of the five away games he’s managed against us, he has won three of them, including Forest’s 2-1 win here last April.But we can point to solid form against the Hammers in recent years, losing just one of our last eight league meetings and enjoying a comfortable 3-0 win at the London Stadium in September. More of the same would be very welcome this afternoon.STEWART, RAYScottish defender who spent 12 years at Upton Park between 1979-91. Scored an incredible 84 goals in 434 games for the Hammers – all but six of them penalties! Won the 1980 FA Cup and also played for Dundee United, St Johnstone and Stirling Albion.
THFChead -to - hea dSpurs and West Ham United were in different divisions in 1979-80, but that didn’t stop the Hammers winning the FA Cup that season as a Second Division team.A couple of years earlier, in 1977-78, the two sides swapped positions as we won promotion from Division Two at the first attempt while West Ham were relegated from the First Division. We were still finding our feet in the top flight in 1979-80, finishing the campaign in 14th place under Keith Burkinshaw. On 19 January that term, we won 2-0 at Brighton thanks to goals from Chris Hughton and Ricky Villa.ANTONIN KINSKY AND EL HADJI MALICK DIOUFSLAVIA PRAGUEThe first half of the 2024-25 season saw our goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky and West Ham’s Senegalese full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf as team-mates at Slavia Prague. The pair featured in 28 matches together in the Czech League, Champions League qualifying and Europa League, losing just six of the games they played together.GAMES PLAYED: 59SPURS WINS: 28WEST HAM WINS: 18DRAWS: 13SPURS GOALS: 89WEST HAM GOALS: 68Players who featured together elsewhere in their careersHow today’s teams match up in the Premier Leagueteam matesTHIS WEEK IN…1980West Ham also won 2-0 on that day, Ray Stewart and our future midfielder Paul Allen on target against Preston North End at Upton Park. They’d just knocked West Brom out in the third round of the FA Cup and went all the way to the final, famously beating Arsenal thanks to a rare Trevor Brooking header.
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THFCWe were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former midfielder, Terry Yorath, who died on 7 January following a short illness. He was 75.Born in Cardiff, Terry signed as an apprentice at Leeds United in 1965 and worked his way into that all-conquering team of the late 1960s and early 1970s, starting both the 1973 European Cup Winners' Cup and 1975 European Cup Finals. Leeds lost both, but in-between, Terry helped the Whites to the league title in 1973/74. By starting against Bayern Munich in 1975, he became the first Welshman to play in a European Cup Final.After making 198 appearances, he moved from Elland Road to Coventry City in 1976 and onto Spurs in August, 1979, where he provided his trademark grit and day of the 1979/80 season, he netted his first and only goal in our colours in a 2-0 home win over Bolton Wanderers on 10 November that term. In total, he made 62 appearances for us in all competitions before departing for Vancouver Whitecaps in February, 1981. He later played for Bradford City and Swansea City.Capped 59 times by Wales, his leadership qualities are illustrated by captaining his country on 42 of those 59 appearances. Terry took over as Wales manager in 1988 and led the Dragons to the brink of the 1994 World Cup Finals, only to lose out to Romania in their final qualifier. He had further managerial spells at the likes of Bradford City, Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday before his final job at Margate in 2008.We extend our sincere condolences to Terry’s family, friends and former team-mates at this incredibly sad time.OBITUARY - TERRY YORATHtenacity in midfield alongside the likes of Glenn Hoddle, Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa. Making his debut against Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane on the opening TERRY IN ACTION AGAINST MANCHESTER UNITED IN JANUARY 1980TERRY YORATH
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THFCDOGMENTALITYfor Chelsea’s youth sides having joined them at the age of seven, the Surrey-born midfielder impressed through the ranks up to Under-21 level at Cobham and frequently trained with the men’s first team as a teenager in 2018/19, which ended with being part of their Europa League-winning squad in Baku.From fruitful first steps in men’s A passionate, versatile and relentless midfielder, new signing Conor Gallagher is hungry to show the fans what he can bring after penning a long-term contract with our storied club…Words by Will Holdernesst doesn’t take Conor Gallagher long to get into what this move means to him.A return home to England, a chance to mix it in the Premier League, the excitement is obvious and motivation clear.After 18 months with Atletico Madrid in Spain, the midfielder sealed his permanent switch to Spurs on Wednesday and is eager to make his mark to show what he can bring to the pitch in N17.“It means so much,” beamed our new number 22 in his first interview with the Club.“I’m so happy and so excited to be here. I know how massive the club is and how great the fans are and everything else to do with the club. I’m just really happy to be part of it.“It happened very fast, which was great because it’s what I wanted. I really wanted it and I wanted to be a Spurs player. Thankfully, Tottenham felt the same. It was very easy at the end, and I’m ready to get on the pitch now.”No stranger to Hotspur Way given his years participating there I football on loan with Championship sides Charlton Athletic and Swansea City in 2019/20, Conor gained invaluable top-flight experience with West Brom and Crystal Palace – where he earned his first England cap – before establishing himself as a first-team regular and captain over two seasons with his boyhood club.
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THFCJoining Atleti in August 2024, becoming only the second Englishman after former Spur Kieran Trippier to do so, he departed the Spanish capital with 77 appearances in all competitions and, with 290 senior club appearances and 22 caps under his belt to date, the experience gained has fuelled a burning desire to impress in Lilywhite.“I’ve had some good experiences so far,” continued the England international. “I’m still only 25, I feel like I’ve got great experience now, which is brilliant, and I’m really excited to basically take this next step in my career.“I’m just so hungry now. Obviously, a year and a half out of the Premier League, now I’m back at this amazing club. I’m so hungry to do well for the club and for the club to have success, and to grow. I want to play a big part of that. I want to do everything I can, work as hard as possible to do that.“I’m just so excited to push on and be part of this amazing club and hopefully create some special memories and moments together. So, just excited to show the fans what I can do.”Another key figure he’ll be keen to impress is Thomas Frank. In a serendipitous saga throughout his career, Conor faced his new Head Coach at every club he played for in the United Kingdom - featuring a winning strike for Charlton, a play-off semi-final for Swansea and his West Brom and Palace debuts – and now joins forces with Thomas since they first crossed paths in August 2019!“We had a great chat,” he revealed. “He thinks the culture he’s trying to build at the club is really important for him and he thinks I fit that culture perfectly to try to help boost that.“He’s explained how great the squad is and how great the players are, how we can obviously improve, but we’re not far away. We have great players and we just need to keep working together as a squad and as players. He felt like I was a great fit to help improve that.”In terms of a great fit, leadership is another strand he feels he can add to a dressing room starring some familiar faces in Djed Spence and James Maddison from his time in England’s youth and senior set-ups. Having captained Chelsea Under-18s for most of their treble winning campaign – U18 Premier League, U18 Premier League Cup and FA Youth Cup – in 2017/18, the all-action player went on to lead the first team and wore the armband 30 times across all competitions in a standout 2023/24 season.Describing himself as an all-rounder in the middle of the park, the box-to-box midfielder was instrumental at Stamford Bridge that term and created 11 big chances in the top division – placing him in the top 10 overall and fourth amongst his recognised central midfield peers – as well as contributing five goals and seven assists across his 37 league appearances.“I think in the last year at Chelsea I was able to grow into that leadership role, which was really good for me,” he explained. “It helped me grow not only as a person but as a footballer as well. You can say not so much in Spain with Atleti, but I still have that in me. I think I can be a leader on the pitch and hopefully an example for the players. I will do my best to do that.“I’M SO HUNGRY TO DO WELL FOR THE CLUB AND FOR THE CLUB TO HAVE SUCCESS, AND TO GROW. ”
2 0THFCwould like out in Spain. I’m someone that likes to be constant, just doing as much as I can, playing every game. “It’s difficult, it’s a great squad with great players. I need to work my way into the team and impress the manager, which I’m going to do my best to do. My plan is to crack on and get on the pitch. “I don’t want to waste any time. Obviously, we’ve got a game coming up in a few days and I’m hoping to be part of it. I’m fit and raring to go. I’m ready to work as hard as I can and do whatever role I’m needed to do. Hopefully, I can be a great player for Spurs.”No stranger to a London derby against this afternoon’s opponent West Ham with a track-record of three goals in this fixture, our new addition is here, ready and all in to fight for the badge and hopefully “I know a few of the boys from England, whether it’s the youth system or with the senior team. A few of the English boys I definitely know.“I like to see myself as a bit of an all-rounder, you could say. I try to be as effective as I can on the pitch with what I’m good at. I try to run as hard as I can. I try to make as many tackles as I can. “I try to win as many duels as I can, make a box, try to score, try to assist. Basically, all the basic things. I try my hardest to be good at everything and whatever the manager wants me to do, whatever role or position or system, I will be willing to do my best wherever I am. Hopefully, I can show the fans what I can do.”Nicknamed ‘El Pitbull’ by Atletico Madrid’s fanbase for his dog-like mentality and relentless work-rate, Conor – who has a beloved dog of his own in a Chow Chow named Freddy – admitted he found it challenging to nail down a regular starting place under Diego Simeone in the first half of this season which has only made him all the more determined to hit the ground running at Spurs.“100 per cent ready to go,” he beamed. “I’m raring to go to be honest. I didn’t get the game time I make his debut one to remember in front of our expectant fans.“I’m just so excited to play my first game for Spurs. It’s hopefully going to be a really good match and, most importantly, a win, which is the most important thing. I’m really hoping to play and put in a good performance and help the team win this match.“I think we can improve, we can win more matches. We’re not far away at all. We need to stick together and keep working as hard as possible. I’m really excited to be able to be part of this squad now where we can fight and push on as a club and as a team.“I know exactly what the club and the fans are about. I know how amazing the stadium is and how great our fans are. I’m so excited to show them what I can do on the pitch and hopefully give them some special moments and memories.”“I’M SOMEONE THAT LIKES TO BE CONSTANT, JUST DOING AS MUCH AS I CAN, PLAYING EVERY GAME.”
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2 4THFCWING WIZARDChris Waddle in full flow in April 1989, as we beat the Hammers 3-0 in N17.FIVE STAR DELIGHTGreat celebrations during our 5-0 League Cup quarter-final win at the Lane in February 1987.HOTSHOT TOTTENHAMPaul Stewart cracks in a shot as Tony Gale looks on during our December 1988 meeting at Upton Park.
2 5THFCDERBY DAYAction from our 3-0 win at the Lane in April 1992 as Paul Stewart puts Hammers’ goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko under pressure.New for this season, every issue we’ll be bringing you a collection of photos sourced from a deep dive into our Mirrorpix photography archive, most of which have never been seen before. This afternoon, a selection of fantastic photos from previous encounters with the Hammers.TARGET MENJurgen Klinsmann and Teddy Sheringham are all smiles in our 2-1 win at Upton Park in January 1995, when both were on target.
2 6THFCHEADS UPA classic Alan Gilzean header almost leads to another goal during our 2-0 success at the Lane in December 1973.GOALS GALOREAction from the 4-4 thriller in N17 in December 1962, as Peter Baker heads clear in front of a packed East Stand.MIDFIELD BATTLETerry Naylor and Billy Bonds battle for the ball in our 2-1 home win in January 1977.
2 7THFCPLAY ON!Paul Gascoigne skips away from a Paul Ince tackle to launch another attack in our 2-0 win in east London in December 1998.LONDON PRIDEMike England climbs above Clyde Best to win a header in September 1972, as we beat the Hammers 1-0 on home soil.CLOSE CONTROLRicky Villa takes control during our derby clash at Upton Park on New Year’s Day in 1983.LEGENDS OF THE GAMETwo of the game’s greatest-ever players – Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Moore – tussle for the ball in August 1971.
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2 9THFCThe Club fordog-loversTottenham Hotspur is the Club for animal-lovers and we use our platform to raise awareness of animal welfare and the importance of preserving nature.For the 2025/26 season we are continuing to feature a ‘Dog of the Match’ at every home game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Members of Tottenham Hotspaw – our first-ever Official Supporters’ Club for dog lovers – have been posting pictures of their beloved pets on the group’s Facebook page for a chance for them to be featured on the stadium big screens ahead of kick-off and in the matchday programme.A Tottenham Hotspaw membership is free and gives fans access to One Hotspur Moments – a programme of special experiences for supporters and their dogs.This includes the opportunity to take part in fundraising activities and events in support of All Dogs Matter – a charity that works in and around London to transform the lives of unwanted and abandoned dogs.Alongside our ‘Dog of the Match’, we also profile rescue dogs currently up for adoption with All Dogs Matter – the fantastic charity partner of Tottenham Hotspaw - giving fans the chance to provide a forever home so badly needed. Today, we are featuring Milo – a friendly boy who likes other dogs and making friends whilst out and about. He would like a home with owners who are around for most of the day and who have had dogs before (ideally bull breeds). He would also like a garden of his own to run about in (no communal gardens).For more on All Dogs Matter, and to find out how you could provide a forever home to a rescue dog today, visit: alldogsmatter.co.uk DOGS OF THE MATCH!MILONELLY & TUCKERToday’s ‘Dogs of the Match’ are Nelly and Tucker, a pair of golden retrievers who never miss a game. Nelly takes her football analysis very seriously — eyes glued to the screen and tail at half-mast during tense moments — while Tucker prefers to provide loud, enthusiastic commentary throughout! They live with the Ashdown family in Billericay and adore long woodland walks, although their favourite part of the day is cuddling up on the sofa.Find out more about Tottenham Hotspaw and how to become a member here.
3 0THFCPRIZE DRAW PRIZE DRAWWIN2x MATCH TICKETS NORTH LONDONDERBY
THFC“It’s fantastic such an historic achievement made by the football club on these children’s doorsteps can continue making a lasting difference in the local community.”The 125th anniversary has also been celebrated on the pitch, with our men’s team wearing a special edition kit during the FA Cup third round tie against Aston Villa. Part of proceeds from auctions of the matchworn shirts are being donated to the Foundation, helping continue its work in local schools and transforming lives across the area.The lesson attended by Gary makes up part of the Foundation’s delivery of Premier League Primary Stars, using the appeal of football to help children be active and develop essential life skills.Over the last four years, the Foundation has delivered the primary school education programme, funded by the Premier League Foundation, to 7,000 children across almost 100 schools.The Foundation also delivers the Premier League Inspires personal development programme in secondary schools, again funded through the Premier League Foundation and using the power of football to inspire development of the personal skills and positive attitudes needed to succeed in life.Since launching in 2019, the Foundation has engaged 950 young people across 38 schools, delivering Tottenham Hotspur Foundation was joined by Club legend Gary Mabbutt to deliver a special lesson for local schoolchildren on how Spurs became the first and only ever non-league club to win the FA Cup.The occasion at Lancasterian Primary School, within minutes’ walk of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, kicked off a tour of nearby schools to celebrate 125 years since the groundbreaking achievement. Pupils not only got to meet Gary, but were also able to get up close and personal with the 1901 trophy.Andrew Wands, Foundation education manager, said: “The stunning achievement of 1901 teaches lessons that resonate with what we try to instil in primary school pupils – themes like overcoming adversity and responding positively to challenges.“This is especially valuable for Year 6 pupils, who may be feeling anxious about SATs and the transition to secondary school.CELEBRATING FOOTBALL’S FIRST MIRACLE IN LOCAL SCHOOLS6,000 hours of targeted support.In addition, the Foundation is rapidly developing its science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) provision as research shows many schools, particularly in disadvantaged areas, face significant barriers delivering education on these subject matters.The Foundation is collaborating with Club partner Schneider Electric on a programme whereby hands-on sessions are delivered in schools, with selected pupils then becoming trained STEM ambassadors to lead and support lunchtime STEM clubs for their peers.On top of that, the Foundation has recently opened a STEM learning zone at its Percy House HQ next to the Stadium, with technology and resources to enable interactive learning, industry-led workshops and delivery of formal qualifications.This work – along with youth and community, health and wellbeing, and employment and skills programmes – enabled the Foundation to support over 13,000 people in the local community last year.For further information and to find out more about how to support this vital work, go to tottenhamhotspur.com/foundation.Supported by:
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3 3THFCFollowing their 3-0 win at the London Stadium in September, Tottenham are looking to complete the league double over West Ham for the first time since 2019-20.West Ham have won just one of their last eight league games against Spurs (D3 L4), beating them 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December 2023.GOAL TIMESMATCH FACTS & TOTAL CARDS532332TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR WEST HAM UNITED42 ���GOALS30 2250 ���SHOTS214 21051 ���EXPECTED GOALS20.5 21.546 ���AVERAGE POSSESSION %50.8 43.261 ���GOALSCONCEDED27 4343 ���SHOT CONVERSION RATE %14 10.557 ���EXPECTED GOALS AGAINST27 36.367 ���POINTS GAINED AFTER TRAILING4 812 ���CLEANSHEETS7 160 ���POINTS DROPPED AFTER LEADING10 15POWERED BYSCORED CONCEDED0-15 3 416-30 4 231-45 6 846-60 6 461-75 2 276-90 9 7SCORED CONCEDED0-15 5 716-30 1 231-45 5 946-60 1 861-75 2 876-90 8 9_
3 4Today’s first offering is our 3-1 league victory over West Ham United on 29 October 1994 where, despite goals from Jürgen Klinsmann, Teddy Sheringham and Nicky Barmby, manager Ossie Ardiles was replaced by Gerry Francis. In the absence of Club captain Gary Mabbutt, Sheringham was pictured wearing the armband on the front cover of the popular Argentine’s last match at the helm. Number 7 of Volume 87 featured 48 pages, and the Tottenham part of the title was curved, reminiscent of the two old locomotive signs that carried our name in the past. Designed and printed by Total Graphics, and costing £1.50, ‘Inside Lane’ highlighted our recent poor run of form, not winning in five matches. Darren Anderton was bemoaning in ‘Premier Point’ that he injured himself taking a corner at Watford, therefore missing England’s latest international versus Romania. He also featured later in the publication when an advert for the latest edition of Spurs News displayed him on the front cover signing a new four-year contract. ‘International Assignment’ featured the aforementioned Wembley showpiece that showcased Sheringham as well as our Romanian pair Gica Popescu and Ilie Dumitrescu, who scored in the 1-1 draw. The centre pages displayed pictures from our recent draw with QPR but cleverly unfolded into four-page visitor spread, including our former midfielder John Moncur. Our future boss Harry Redknapp was manager, and it was interesting to note he was only West Ham’s eighth-ever gaffer in 92-years! Hero for both teams, Martin Peters was featured in ‘Chain Gang’ and Romford-born Mark Janney showcased in ‘Next Generation.’ Winger Janney was pictured wearing a shirt sponsored by Sega as the youth team weren’t allowed to advertise the alcoholic beverage Holsten. Mark enjoyed a great non-league career representing the international non-league side, England C.With the sad passing of two of our distinguished Spurs family within the last two weeks, today’s second offering will also emotionally resonate with our older fans. Dated 10 November 1964, the Spurs v Scotland XI souvenir programme was a match that nobody could comprehend was Continuing our new feature for this season, as John Chambers highlights the contents of programmes whose front covers feature on our famous ‘Programme Walls’ within the stadium…Wallto Wall
3 5even taking place. In memory of the mercurial John White, the fixture’s proceeds went to John’s widow Sandra, and their two small children Mandy and Rob, after our ‘Double’ winning legendary inside-forward was tragically struck by a bolt of lightning while seeking refuge at Crews Hill golf course. Having finished the pre-season photo shoot and training on 21 July 1964, John challenged Terry Medwin to indoor tennis before Cliff Jones stole his trousers! Unperturbed by the prank, John played golf later in the day. Bumping into Tony Marchi, John asked if he fancied a game, but he’d just finished 18 holes. Marchi explained afterwards, he’d wished the conversation continued as this might have changed John’s position when the storm hit – as with the tennis earlier, these are sliding doors moments that could have changed the terrible outcome. Football was in shock, one of Britain’s prestigious talents taken early after Bill Nicholson was planning to build a new team around the 27-year-old. Born in Musselburgh in 1937, John started at Alloa before making his name at Falkirk. Having won full Scottish honours, Nicholson signed him in 1959 as he assembled his all-conquering ‘Double’ side. Originally, a right winger, the canny Nicholson soon moved him to inside-forward where he flourished, playing a pivotal role in six trophy hauls (including Charity Shields). Famous artist, and Spurs fan, Paul Trevillion penned a fantastic head illustration of John for the front cover and tributes in the programme were aplenty. Bill Nicholson stated: “Finding, making and using space is a distinction of all great players, and who could do better than this than John?” Denis Law proclaimed: “John was one of the greatest inside-forwards to play for Scotland.” The Daily Mail’s Roy Peskett reported: “The White Ghost of Scotland. That was the title given John White after a World Cup tie in Czechoslovakia three years ago. It was apt. White moved so smoothly through a game.” The Daily Mirror’s Ken Jones wrote: “John White’s greatness was camouflaged by the grace and courtesy with which he offered it. His skill was never thrust at you. It was there for your appreciation.” The programme was also littered with great photographs of John’s career. Actually, played on 11 November due to fog, Dundee’s Alan Gilzean netted twice in a 2-6 defeat – Nicholson signed Gilzean a month later. Hearts centre-forward, and John’s brother, Tommy scored for us alongside Marchi. Following the success of Rob White’s book, ‘The Ghost,’ the tome has been adapted for stage by Martin Murphy. The emotional story of John’s life and Rob’s struggle of not being able to interact with his famous father is beautifully brought to life in a one man show that starred at the Edinburgh Fringe. Tickets are now available at Jacksons Lane theatre for the 19-31 January – you won’t be disappointed!
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THFC‘selfie’ days where the most you could ask for was an autograph on a beer mat!But that was John. Just another man enjoying a pint.And when I had a drink on my return to Fleet Street, I would often pop down to Billy Jennings’ wine bar near St Bride’s church for a snifter.There I was introduced to taramasalata with toasted pitta bread and Beaujolais Nouveau. So different from my old pie and a pint!LONDON ACADEMYWhen I had my office at Spurs Lodge, Chigwell, after we moved there in 1996, the influence of former West Ham players on our youth system was immense. And I worked with some great lads.Maybe it was the location so close to areas where Hammers’ players tended to live but the two clubs shared a keen interest in the development of local young players and West Ham’s reputation as The Academy was ingrained in these ex pros.John Lyall had been with us at Chase Lodge along with fellow coaches Pat Holland and Jimmy Neighbour, who had started as a Spurs player. At Chigwell, our schoolboy scouting department featured Hammers great Ronnie ‘Ticker’ Boyce and Eddie Presland who had played for West Ham and for Essex in first class county cricket. Also sharing that office was Graham Carr, father of TV’s Alan.CLEVER TREVORI once played in a Fleet Street team at White Hart Lane alongside Trevor Brooking. He passed to me straight from the kick-off – but not again…BOLEYN ALONGIn my early days as a Fleet Street messenger, my beat on a matchday was Spurs, West Ham, Arsenal and Orient. So, I would be at the one where Hayters Sports Agency was serving national and regional newspapers at a particular game and I would connect all the old Bakelite phones pre-match and then read the scribbled reports to the copy takers standing by to type them up.To make the whole scene even more dated, those black phones were stored in old steel ex-army grenade boxes that seemed to be used for so many similar tasks in those days!By the time I left Upton Park after a night game, the streets were empty and then I had that lonely change at Mile End and on to Liverpool Street for usually the last train home to Cheshunt.Then I would often have to be back in the London office by 9am the next morning as it started all over again! But what an education for a lad who had just turned 17.MINE HOSTAfter finishing my apprenticeship, I would often go to the Boleyn to now write match reports and naturally was a regular attendee during my time with Spurs.Once I was driven there by club secretary Peter Day along with BBC legend John Motson who was doing some work for us at the time.On the way home we stopped at a pub just up the road from the ground where Motty was instantly recognised by all the West Ham fans. And he gave them as much time as they wanted in those non Former press officer John Fennelly returns with his eclectic memories of today’s opponents collected over 50 years of following Spurs.Another genuine ‘man of the people’ was the great Bobby Moore, England’s World Cup winning captain.When I got to know him, he was working for Capital Radio and was so down-toearth and friendly. I will never forget a trip with him and his actor/singer friend Kenny Lynch to watch Spurs in Prague. Such great company.But it was a different world in Newham then. A great vibe. I remember Harry Redknapp telling me about walking from the ground to watch The Beatles in concert at a local venue.Still, I don’t doubt that the local music scene continues to endure with as much vitality today.BOBBING ALONGTHAT REMINDS ME…
THFC3 8A battling second half performance fell just short last Saturday, as we tumbled out of the FA Cup in a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.The damage was really done in the first period as goals from Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers, the latter in first-half stoppage time, gave the visitors a commanding lead.But we gave it a real go after the break, Wilson Odobert firing home to reduce the deficit while Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot made a couple of smart saves to keep his side ahead. In the end though, we couldn’t find that elusive equaliser and exited the tournament at the first hurdle. It was our first home defeat in the FA Cup third round since 1992, when we lost 1-0, also to Aston Villa.ODOBERT 54TOTTENHAM HOTSPURVicario, Pedro Porro (Spence 83), Danso, Van de Ven (c), Davies, Palhinha, Gray, Odobert (Solanke 83), Xavi, Tel (Scarlett 78), Richarlison (Kolo Muani 31) Substitutes (not used): Kinsky, Dragusin, Byfield, Udogie, Williams-Barnett.4-2-3-1 1340%5 4 17LINE-UP POSS. SHOTSON TARGET CORNERS FOULS110.01.26 PREMIER LEAGUE
THFCBUENDIA 22, ROGERS 45+3ASTON VILLABizot, Cash (Garcia 78), Konsa, Pau Torres, Maatsen (Digne 78), Bogarde, Kamara (Tielemans 9), McGinn (c) (Sancho 65), Rodgers, Buendia, Malen (Watkins 65). Substitutes (not used): Wright, Lindelof, Mings, Hemmings.4-2-3-1 1760%8 6 10LINE-UP POSS. SHOTSON TARGET CORNERS FOULS2TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM REFEREE: CRAIG PAWSON
BURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONTHFC4 0FOUNDED: 1895NICKNAME: The HammersSTADIUM: London StadiumCAPACITY: 62,500LAST SEASON: Premier League - 14thFA Cup - Third roundEFL Cup - Third roundMOST RECENT TROPHY: 2023 Europa Conference LeagueMOST APPEARANCES (ALL-TIME): Billy Bonds (799)MOST GOALS (ALL-TIME): Viv Watson (326)west ham UNITEDALPHONSE AREOLA27.02.93 GKLUKASZ FABIANSKI18.05.85 GKNUNO ESPIRITO SANTOHEAD COACHNuno was an autumn 2026 appointment to replace Graham Potter. Previous clubs include Nottingham Forest, guiding them to European football for the first time in three decades, Spurs, Wolves, Porto and Valencia.NUNO ESPIRITO SANTODOB: 25.01.74NATIONALITY: PORTUGUESEPOSITION: HEAD COACH
BURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONWEST HAM UNITEDOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONTHFCAWAY 25/26KYLE WALKER-PETERS13.04.97 DFKONSTANTINOS MAVROPANOS11.12.97 DFMAXIMILIAN KILMAN23.05.97 DFEL HADJI MALICK DIOUF28.12.04 DFHOME 25/26A classic design manufactured by Umbro, this season’s home shirt features a minimalist aesthetic that brings the club’s instantly recognisable claret and blue colours to the fore.KITSclub coloursJEAN-CLAIR TODIBO30.12.99 DF
THFC4 2Together Against SuicideYou support us.Let us support you.Speak to someone in confidence today – call Samaritans for free on 116-123 or visitpremierleague.com/togetheragainstsuicide
BURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONTHFC4 3Fernandes joined West Ham in August 2025 from Southampton. A Sporting Lisbon Academy product, he played in the Portuguese Primeira Liga for Sporting and Estoril before moving to England in summer 2024.MATEUS FERNANDES10.07.04NATIONALITY: PORTUGUESEPOSITION: MFlast time out11.01.26WEST HAM 2-1 QPRFA CUPCrysencio Summerville scored one goal and made another for Taty Castellanos – his first for the Club – as West Ham defeated Queens Park Rangers 2-1 after extra-time in the Emirates FA Cup third round. It was the Hammers’ first taste of victory in 64 days.AARON WAN-BISSAKA26.11.97 DFJAMES WARD-PROWSE11.11.94 MFSOUNGOUTOU MAGASSA08.10.03 MFGUIDO RODRIGUEZ12.04.94 DF
BURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONTHFC4 4FREDDIE POTTS12.09.03 MFBrazilian Paqueta made the move from Lyon to West Ham in 2022 and he has since made over 100 appearances, scoring 16 goals. A regular for the Brazil national team, he has more than 60 caps for his country.LUCAS PAQUETA27.08.97NATIONALITY: BRAZILIANPOSITION: MFANDY IRVING13.05.00 MFCALLUM WILSON27.02.92 FWTOMAS SOUCEK27.02.95 MFprevious meeting13.09.25WEST HAM 0-3 SPURSPREMIER LEAGUEWe cruised to a three-goal victory in East London to move up to second in the table back in September. Following a goalless first half, Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Micky van de Ven struck decisively, while Tomas Soucek’s red card only deepened the Hammers’ woes.
BURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONWEST HAM UNITEDOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONBURNLEYOPPOSITIONTHFC4 5CRYSENCIO SUMMERVILLE30.10.01 FWPABLO02.01.04 FWPAOLO DI CANIOFORWARDClub captain Bowen joined the Hammers from Hull City in 2020. He has since made over 200 appearances for the club, scoring more than 60 goals. Bowen earned his England debut in 2022 and has gone on to collect several senior international caps.JARROD BOWEN20.12.96NATIONALITY: ENGLISHPOSITION: FWBOBBY MOORE DEFENDERStylish defender Bobby Moore made more than 600 appearances for the Hammers while also captaining England to the 1966 World Cup, while fiery Italian forward Paolo Di Canio scored 51 goals for the club around the turn of the millennium.LEGENDpast greatsTATY CASTELLANOS03.10.98 FW
4 6THFCJohn Chambers looks back at previous meetings with West Ham United and picks out Spurs players who have produced heroics and those opponents who have been a thorn in our side!In their former guise of Thames Ironworks, West Ham’s first Southern League visit to White Hart Lane resulted in a 7-0 loss. Their short journey in November 1899 resulted in one of their biggest N17 defeats, although not the biggest! Having moved from our Northumberland Park Ground in September, 7,000 hardy souls braved the driving rain. Goals from the two Toms, Morris and Pratt, gave us a commanding interval lead, however, the Irons wilted in the mud during the second period. Our excellent left-wing pairing of David Copeland and Jack Kirwan scored along with Morris and Pratt, who completed his hat-trick.A recent acquisition from the mighty Preston North End, powerful centreforward Pratt scored our first-ever White Hart Lane goal in the prestigious friendly versus Notts County, and his superb form led us to Southern League glory. His 33 goals in 42 matches gained hero status, especially after scoring three consecutive Southern League hat-tricks; disappointingly, the Brighton United result was expunged from records due to their resignation. He returned to Preston the following season after, allegedly, failing to settle down south, however, his replacement Sandy Brown scored a remarkable 15 goals in eight matches en-route to claiming the 1901 FA Cup. The bigger winning margin mentioned came in the Southern Charity Cup in January 1905. England captain Vivian Woodward went nap with Charlie O’Hagan (2), John Brearley (2), and a rare Sandy Tait strike, completing a 10-0 win in N17. Now captaining the Club, ‘Terrible Tait’ was a fearsome left-back, who reportedly had a terrific tenor voice. His steely gaze was enough to scare wingers, let alone his blockbusting tackling, and his fantastic moustache belonged in the ‘Wild West.’ Undoubtedly, one of the country’s best defenders, his loyalty cost him a cap with Scotland, who preferred Football League players.Hat-trick heroes were aplenty in the fixture during the mid-1920s with Frank Osborne starting the ball rolling in November 1925. Just like his predecessor, Pratt, England centre-forward Osborne plundered three consecutive trebles versus Liverpool, Leicester City and West Ham, however, Pratt’s expunged match affords Osborne a unique place in our history. Two months later, Osborne tormented the Hammers again with an FA Cup brace in a 5-0 win, but was outshone by Jimmy Dimmock in N17. Disappointingly, the England winger’s hat-trick was avenged the following season when Vic Watson’s treble knocked us out of the Cup in east London – Watson remains West Ham’s all-time scorer with an impressive 326 goals. I can’t let this article pass without mentioning the great Martin Chivers. One of our all-time heroes, Martin scored in both matches when we completed the double over West Ham in 1973/74 - just two goals of his 174, which still leaves him as our fourth record scorer. No player wore our number nine jersey as many times as Martin; a record which made him so HEROES &FRANK OSBORNE
47THFCproud. Having regular contact with Martin through his fantastic Legends Tours, he always thanked me for mentioning him in the matchday programme; such an unassuming man, who delighted fans with his magnificent stories. The indelible mark he left on the Club will resonate forever and others will be eulogising him in 50 years’ time too. He will be sorely missed.During the 1980s, two differing West Ham strikers always troubled us. Big centre-forward David Cross fired the Hammers to Division Two glory in 1980/81, and just for good measure, his excellent chip, that evaded Steve Perryman on the line, knocked us out of the League Cup quarter-final. Cross then stunned White Hart Lane in September 1981 with four goals, claiming his superlative volleyed third was his best career effort. Another thorn in our side was the diminutive Tony Cottee. The complete opposite to Cross, small and quick, Cottee famously netted on his New Year's Day debut in 1983, heading home the rebound from close-range after the ball hit the bar – Ray Stewart and Geoff Pike completed a Boleyn Ground disaster for us. Cottee had an unfortunate knack of scoring against us including a hat-trick after moving to Everton. Despite winning three trophies in the first four years of the 1980s, mysteriously, we only won twice versus West Ham in the first 11 matches of the decade. The tables turned on Boxing Day 1986 when Steve Hodge’s debut goal made the England VILLAINSmidfielder an instant hero. His neat shot on the turn after 53 minutes doubled the lead given by Clive Allen before Chris Waddle slotted home. Phil Parkes somehow then saved Hodge’s point-blank header before Allen’s second goal. This result spawned a fine sequence of wins over the next few years and was quickly followed by a League Cup quarter final that avenged the aforementioned 1980 fixture. Nico Claesen opened before Glenn Hoddle and an Allen hat-trick secured a 5-0 win - Allen’s 12 goals in 1986/87 remain a League Cup record.Canadian right-back Paul Stalteri enjoys cult hero status after his breakaway goal won the seven-goal Boleyn thriller in March 2007. Trailing 3-2 after Jermain Defoe and Teemu Tainio strikes, Dimitar Berbatov curled in a stunning free-kick in the 89th minute before Stalteri stole the show in injury time. In similar circumstances, Gareth Bale’s superb long-range injury time winner in February 2013 saw us triumph after Bale and Gylfi Sigurdsson had cancelled out Joe Cole and Andy Carroll efforts. More injury time drama occurred in November 2016 when Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini goals where squared by Harry Winks and Harry Kane’s 89th minute equaliser. Not satisfied with a point, Kane won it in added time from the spot after Heung-Min Son was fouled.DAVID CROSSSTEVE HODGE
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THFCIn each matchday programme, we speak to a former Spurs player to look back at their career and get their thoughts on current events in N17. The series continues this afternoon as we catch up with Fredi Kanoutérédéric Kanouté’s arrival from West Ham United in the summer of 2003 added to an impressive roster of forward talent we had at the club at the time which included Robbie Keane, Hélder Postiga and Bobby Zamora. Jermain Defoe also made the move from E13 to N17 in February 2004 while Egypt international Mido was another of Kanouté’s strike partners during his time with us.“I previously had good memories playing with Jermain at West Ham and we played well together again at Spurs,” says Kanouté, who scored 21 goals in 73 appearances for us between 2003 and 2005. “I really enjoyed playing with Robbie Keane too. Robbie was a very clever player and we had some nice moves together. Bobby Zamora and Hélder Postiga, I played with less, but you could see their qualities. And Mido came to Spurs in my second season and he was a very good striker too.”Kanouté scored an impressive winner on his debut in our 2-1 Premier League victory over Leeds United on 5 August, 2003, just nine minutes after coming on as a substitute for Zamora. His catalogue of memorable strikes in a Spurs shirt also included a 30-yard, half-volley against Everton in October, 2003 and a winning goal from a seemingly impossible angle at Manchester City in December, 2004.Hi Fredi. Thinking back to the start of your Spurs career and what a feeling it must have been for you scoring on your competitive debut against Leeds?When I initially joined Spurs, I got injured in my first training session. I hadn’t trained for a few Frederic KanouteOnce a Spur Always a SpurF
5 0THFCdays when the transfer was going through and I probably pushed myself a bit too hard in that first session. I was feeling really low as a result of that. I missed a couple of weeks but, luckily, I recovered pretty quickly. When I came back, I was really eager to show the club that they made the right choice in signing me. I came on as a substitute against Leeds and I managed to score the winning goal.It’s a difficult moment to describe. It was just an instinctive moment, that I didn’t think about. It was only afterwards, when I watched the goal and I remember thinking ‘that was a nice move’ and I was pretty happy with how the goal looked! You scored with another incredible strike in our 3-0 win against Everton in October, 2003. Where does that effort rank in terms of the best goals you scored during your career?It’s one of the best, if not the best goal I scored during my career. Again, it was another instinctive moment. I often think the best goals are scored when you don’t overthink. You have that little spark, that moment of inspiration. That was one of those moments.If I remember properly, I don’t think we were playing very well up to the point of that goal. I remember the caretaker manager saying at the end of the game that the goal seemed to rewrite the script of the match and we went on to win well in the end. The goal came about when Kasey Keller kicked the ball up field. I won a header in the air which Gus Poyet headed back into my path. The ball bounced nicely for me and I was able to strike it with my laces and it flew into the back of the net! You must have fond memories of your hat-trick against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup shortly before you went off to represent Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, 2004?It was a fantastic day for me. I remember it being a great team performance that day and of course, as a striker, scoring a hat-trick is always special. I had a day where I felt very comfortable in front of goal. As a striker, confidence is a big thing. Sometimes, when you lose confidence, you have to regain it in order to play at your best. When you’re on a good streak confidence-wise, it feels like everything clicks and that was certainly the case that day. I was assisted by excellent players. I remember Stéphane Dalmat assisting me in that game, and Ledley King on the third goal if I’m not mistaken! There were some fantastic players around me at Spurs, who made my job easier. You scored 12 goals in 31 appearances in your first season at Spurs in 2003/04. You must have been happy with that return? I was happy, and a bit frustrated also. I went