2. So many!
3. Chris Wood – Nottingham Forest’s 174-point striker will be assessed before the trip to Aston Villa. He faces Everton at home next week so might be worth hanging on to if you can – but FPL managers have been selling him in their droves
4. Jurrien Timber and Ben White couldfeature against Everton and both might make decent Gabriel replacements in the long run
5. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is available “but we are taking care” according to Unai Emery. Make of that what you will.
6. Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount will be assessed tomorrow.
7. And forward Anthony Gordon is being “monitored” by the Newcastle medical team.
10. Probably the biggest team news going into this weekend’s games and some that will be forcing a lot of you into transfers…
11. Arsenal defender Gabriel and Bournemouth midfielder Justin Kluivert will both be out this weekend, their managers have confirmed.
12. More on both of them – and potential replacements later.
13. Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina is also out with a groin injury. That’s three of the top four defensive points scorers injured then – Aina, Gabriel and Trent Alexander-Arnold
16. Gianni Buttice is an FPL expert and best-selling author of FPL Diary, a guide to winning at Fantasy Football.
17. He has only finished outside the top 100k twice in the past 13 seasons and has eight top-50k finishes.
18. Gianni runs an FPL Youtube channel, is a regular on the Official Fantasy Show, Sky Sports’ FPL show and has appeared on the BBC’s Fantasy 606 podcast.
19. Image source, Gianni Buttice
22. Let’s get the key stuff out of the way…
23. The deadline for gameweek 31 is 11:00 BST on Saturday 5 April – tomorrow!
24. Do not forget to click save on your teams (Carabao Cup final weekend pains me every day)…
27. FPL expert Gianni Buttice is joining us to answer your gameweek 31 questions…
28. Selection dilemmas, chip strategy, captain choice – he is here to help.
29. We also want to see your teams, especially if you have wildcarded this week or are planning to.
30. Send us a screenshot and don’t forget to tell us which chips you have left.
31. Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
34. Higher FPL score and I still forgot to use my free hit on the weekend of the Carabao Cup final.
35. How bad are you Joe?
36. Anyway, I digress because we are LIVE!
37. For the next 90 minutes, our special guest Gianni Buttice, FPL expert and eight-time top-50k finisher, will be taking your gameweek 31 questions.
38. We’ll also bring you all the big FPL talking points and key team news before tomorrow’s 11:00 BST deadline.
41. And that rounds up our Kevin de Bruyne to leave Man City reaction.
42. Time for me (Joe) to hand over to Ben. Something about him having a higher FPL score than me…
43. Ben, make sure Gianni’s asked about Gabriel replacements!
45. Everton v Arsenal (Sat, 12:30 BST)
46. Arsenal
47. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was also asked about Kevin de Bruyne, who he worked with at Manchester City: “I rank him up there. He is one of the best players in the Premier League. [I’ve] Never seen a player that can deliver that precisely at that high speed.”
50. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
51. Keep sending your questions in for FPL expert Gianni Buttice.
52. We’ll be switching up the live in 10 minutes!
54. Brentford v Chelsea (Sun, 14:00 BST)
55. Brentford
56. Brentford manager Thomas Frank was asked what his reaction was to Kevin de Bruyne leaving Manchester City: “A little bit shocked is probably the right way to say it. I can only praise him. He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League ever. There are a few good ones, eh? But from the more central, offensive players like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard – iconic England ones – I think De Bruyne is up there.
57. “I think he is a top player, almost a complete player in many ways and I think he has been crucial for Man City’s success in the last years.”
59. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
60. Manchester United
61. Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has paid tribute to Kevin de Bruyne after the midfielder announced he was leaving Manchester City at the end of the season: “That is easy, he was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
62. “The time passes to everyone so it is a natural thing. He improved the league.
63. “He was on the wrong side of Manchester so I wish him good luck. It was a pleasure to see him in Portugal a lot of times.”
66. Coming up in just over 20 minutes will be our FPL hour debut.
67. And we’ll have all our usual manager team news answers then.
68. Quickly though, let’s see what some other Prem bosses have had to say today about Kevin de Bruyne.
71. If you’re just joining us… where have you been?! Kevin de Bruyne has announced he’s leaving Manchester City at the end of the season. This is what you might have missed:
72. You can watch The Football News Show to get even more reaction. Click ‘watch live’ at the top of the page.
75. Pep Guardiola said he wasn’t sure if Kevin de Bruyne would play the Club World Cup for Manchester City.
76. According to BBC Sport’s chief football news reporter Simon Stone, De Bruyne is eligible to play in the group stage but would not be eligible for the knockout stage.
77. The Premier League will have two transfer windows to allow City and Chelsea to sign players before the tournament
78. The window will open between 1 June and 10 June, then close for five days before running again from 16 June until 1 September.
79. But with today’s announcement, it looks likely that he could leave before the tournament to pursue his career elsewhere.
80. If that is the case, his final game in City colours will come against Fulham at Craven Cottage on 25 May.
81. His last match at Etihad Stadium will be against Bournemouth on 18 May. If City do make it to the FA Cup final, that game will be be moved to another date.
84. That’s all from Pep Guardiola.
86. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
87. Manchester City
88. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on if he was surprised by the news that De Bruyne would be leaving: “I knew it. I knew it days ago.”
89. On whether he still believes he has the ability and fitness to play at the highest level: “I wish, from the bottom of my heart I wish. I want him to be happy, I want to make him happy. He is going to be 34-years-old soon, I always say to my players if you still have the desire and hunger to play then play because once it’s over it is over.
90. “You still have to enjoy every morning, every training and wake up and play. You still have to be happy and have to have the nervousness, the tension – you have to.”
93. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
94. De Bruyne was a majestic player, just superb. You could argue he has stayed a season too long and Pep made a massive error in not keeping Palmer who was his obvious successor. But in a way, legends deserve to write their own exit script.
96. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
97. Manchester City
98. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked if he could shed any light on the conversation he had with De Bruyne this week: “No. Kevin is a special person and special player and special people are treated in a special way. It is one decade together. Do you know how many games together, meetings, training sessions and how many good and bad moments we had together.
99. “Being involved for one decade – every single day we were together. It is an emotional moment and it was not easy for me to tell him it won’t continue. These situations are always so difficult because emotions are there. Everybody knows.
100. “We are going to enjoy the last two months here together but of course emotionally it is tough, it is difficult.”
102. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
103. Manchester City
104. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on whether De Bruyne will be part of the squad for the Club World Cup: “It’s a good question, I don’t know. I think he has to decide. Honestly, I don’t know. I think the club have to talk to him or he has to say what he has to do.
105. On whether it would be a fitting end to his City career: “Of course. It would be the first time to play this competition and at the end of three games he is still under contract until 30 June but after that if we go through, I don’t know. I cannot answer because it is an answer I think Kevin has to tell and after that – the fact if it is legally possible or not.”
108. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
109. Very classy statement from a fantastic player. Only wish he’d played for Liverpool. He’s leaving as a legend at city and deservedly so.

Page 2

2. All that to come.
3. I had volunteered to be our new FPL guy – but ever since I wasted my Assistant Manager chip on Ruud van Nistelrooy, editor Murray Burnell hasn’t been answering my calls.
6. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
7. That’s right, at 14:30 BST we’re turning the live page into a Fantasy Premier League special.
8. So get your questions in for FPL expert Gianni Buttice ahead of gameweek 31.
9. Got a selection dilemma?
10. Stuck on your next transfer?
11. Confused about how to approach the upcoming double gameweeks?
12. Considering triple captain?
13. He’s here to help.
14. Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
17. I get your frustration, Ben, so how about this for a plan?
18. From 14:30 BST we’re going to move on from Kevin de Bruyne reaction and fully focus on team news with a Fantasy Football twist.
19. Remember that Friday a few weeks back where we had great fun roasting my FPL team? Well it was so successful we want to try a new Fantasy Premier League format.
20. Except this time we’ve brought in an expert…
23. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
24. It’s very sad about KDB but please can we have more manager conference updates. It’s vital I get my fantasy football team right this weekend and while KDB may be the greatest premier league midfielder of all team, he hasn’t a chance of getting into my team this weekend.
28. Image source, Getty Images
29. Image caption,
30. Arriving at Selhurst Park where he made his Manchester City debut – 12 September 2015
31. Image source, Getty Images
32. Image caption,
33. De Bruyne celebrates with Leroy Sane after winning the title – May 6, 2018
34. Image source, Getty Images
35. Image caption,
36. Celebrating with the Champions League trophy in Istanbul – June 10, 2023
38. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
39. Manchester City
40. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on what he has learned from De Bruyne: “His assists, his goals. His vision in the final-third is so difficult to replace. Every one can make actions and assists but how many years and how many games makes him unique. This is a business and players have to perform well and the manager has to perform well and any person can discuss his performance over the last decade has been outstading.
41. “We have won a lot of trophies and he has been involved in every single one. He is part of the club. The door is open for the rest of his life at the club. He is part of the family of this club. The impact of some players transcend even the impact that they have done on the pitch and he is one of them.”
44. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
45. Great point well made Adam, his stats are incredible. He’s had the luxury of playing under one of the best managers ever, had the joy of feeding the like of Haaland and Aguero, and the security of playing next to Toure and Rodri. Paul Scholes however has won 5 more PL titles, and was an anchor to United’s continued success. But how do you compare two totally different players? Who would you prefer on your team? Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes, Keane, or KDB? Impossible to say!
47. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
48. Manchester City
49. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked where De Bruyne ranks in terms of players he has managed and within Premier League history: “He is one of the greatest Premier League players ever and at this club, there is no doubt about that. You always have to be careful when you say greatest out of respect for the players that have played in the last 20/30 years at this club but there is no doubt he is one of the greatest for sure.
50. “His consistency in important games and every three games being there all the time, there is no doubt.”
51. On whether now feels like the right time for him to leave: “It is more important that he feels good right now. Now he feels finally, after surgery on his hamstring, he feels step-by-step ready. His decision is made and for all of us, we wish to him, Michele, the kids and his mum and dad absolutely the best.”
54. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
55. Can’t say KDB is the greatest ever PL midfielder but he’s definitely in that conversation, some of his moments are things us mere mortals can only dream of.
57. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
58. Manchester City
59. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on the news that Kevin de Bruyne will leave the club at the end of the season: “It’s a sad day. What he gives all of us which is humanity and of course, I don’t have to tell you his influence on our success in the last decade – it would be impossible to imagine without him.
60. “It’s a sad day because a part of us is leaving. When Vincent Kompany left or Sergio Aguero left or David Silva – these players that have made such a big contribution – it’s a sad day.
61. “We still have 10 games and hopefully 11, six games at home, that we can enjoy with our fans and he will get I’m pretty sure, the love and recognition that he deserves.”
64. Thanks Adam and all those who have messaged in so far.
65. Now then, we’ve finally typed up Pep Guardiola’s press conference…
68. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
69. Football is all about opinions but 174 assists and over 100 goals in 400+ games, says it all. Also won every trophy available. KDB is different class. Top, top player.
72. In August 2015, 24-year-old Kevin de Bruyne joined Manchester City from Wolfsburg for a club record £55m.
73. At the time it was the second highest fee paid by an English club and then-City boss Manuel Pellegrini said “it takes a special player to improve our squad.”
74. After signing De Bruyne said: “I want to reach the highest level possible as a player and I think the most important thing is that at the end of the season we can be happy and maybe have some titles.”
75. Almost ten years on he’ll leave the club as a treble-winner, with six Premier League titles and a hoard of other major trophies.
76. Image source, Getty Images
77. Image source, Getty Images
80. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
81. It’s not just the trophies, it’s the way you played football. Jaw dropping open mouth moments of brilliance that will be remembered forever. Thanks KDB
84. Manchester City
85. Building on our post on De Bruyne’s individual accolades – not only are they impressive as a standalone – but maybe even more so when you compare with some of the greats.

• He has the joint most Premier League player of the season awards with two – alongside Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nemanja Vidic.
• Level with Henry for the most assists in a single Premier League season, producing 20 in the 2019-20 campaign.
• Most Premier League playmaker awards for the player with the most assists, with three (2017-18, 2019-20 and 2022-23).
• Second most assists in the competition’s history with 118, behind only Ryan Giggs (162).

3. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
4. Very sad goodbye for KDB, came right from the heart, best midfielder to ever grace the premier league and up there with some of the greatest to ever play the game.
7. Phil McNulty
8. BBC Sport chief football writer
9. One stand-out personal memory was Kevin De Bruyne’s performance when Manchester City beat Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League semi-final second leg at Etihad Stadium in May 2023.
10. City’s first 45 minutes, in which they established a 2-0 lead, remains one of the finest halves of football I have ever witnessed for quality of the highest level executed at a searing pace that bewildered Real Madrid.
11. At the heart of it all was De Bruyne, the great orchestrator of a magnificent team display.
12. If there is a sadness about De Bruyne’s City career, it is that he was injured during both of their Champions League Final appearances, suffering a serious facial injury following a collision with Antonio Rudiger in the 1-0 loss to Chelsea in 2021, then sustaining a hamstring injury in the first of the victory against Inter Milan two years later.
15. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
16. Kdb what a player. I don’t applaud many opposition but take a bow son.
19. Kevin de Bruyne will go down as one of Manchester City’s greatest ever midfielders.
20. He’s made 413 appearances for the club since his arrival in the summer of 2015, scoring 106 times and providing 174 assists in all competitions.
21. According to Opta, since his arrival at City, no player has created more chances (827), more big chances (193) or provided more assists (117) in the Premier League.
22. 

Page 3

2. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
3. KDB what a player by the way. Has to be in the conversation for best ever PL player in his position. The vision the quality he has got is top level. He will be missed by City fans and all fans who love the way he played the game. Good luck in his next adventure.
6. Those are all the headlines from Guardiola’s news conference. We’ll have his answers typed up in full very soon.
8. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
9. Manchester City
10. Guardiola admits he knew “days ago” that De Bruyne was leaving the club.
12. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
13. Manchester City
14. Guardiola says he “will bet a lot of money” that De Bruyne gets a statue at the club.
16. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
17. Manchester City
18. Guardiola says they are going to enjoy the last few months they have with De Bruyne at the club but admits it will be “emotionally tough.”
21. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
22. This guy has been an unbelievable leader and inspiration for all at City and the biggest compliment is the level that he set and expected from those around him always bringing the best out of the team for creativity and effort – never settling for second best #thebest
24. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
25. Manchester City
26. Guardiola adds “it’s a good question” when asked if De Bruyne will be contracted for the Club World Cup but admits he honestly does not know.
28. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
29. Manchester City
30. Pep Guardiola says De Bruyne’s performances over the last decade have been “outstanding”.
31. He adds that the door is always open for the Belgian to return to the club because “he is part of the family of this club”.
33. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
34. Manchester City
35. Manchester City boss Guardiola says De Bruyne is “one of the greatest midfielders to ever play in this country”.
38. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
39. As a Wolves fan, KDB undoubtedly gave the best individual performance I’ve ever seen live from an opposing player with his four-goal haul at Molineux in May 2022. A special player.
41. Man Utd v Man City (Sun, 16:30 BST)
42. Manchester City
43. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says it’s a “sad day” with regard to the news that Kevin de Bruyne is retiring.
44. He compares his exit to Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva leaving.
47. Pep Guardiola is speaking to the media now.
50. Mike Minay
51. BBC Radio Manchester journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live
52. On which club could Kevin de Bruyne join…
53. “Kevin de Bruyne was linked with Saudi Arabia last summer though he denied them. He told me earlier in the season that he had personally not held any talks. But that could be an option and the conversations could begin again.
54. “He’s got bags of talent. The injury concerns in recent seasons would be an issue for top clubs. But he is still an elite level player, so he could really end up anywhere.”
57. Right now, nothing is certain. Kevin de Bruyne hasn’t said anything in his statement about his next club, or whether he plans to retire.
58. Over the past few months he has been linked to clubs in Saudi Arabia and the US.
61. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
62. I’m a Man U fan but I have to say respect to De Bruyne, you simply have to. One of the best in PL history.
65. “A global icon of the game”.
66. “A glittering 10-year period at Man City”.
67. “One of the greatest players to ever play in the Premier League.”
70. Manchester City
71. Manchester City have released the following statement on their website:
72. “Manchester City will bid an emotional farewell to Kevin De Bruyne this summer when his contract expires, bringing an end to a glittering 10-year period at the Club.
73. “The Belgian, a global icon of the game, has played 413 matches for City. During that period, he has scored 106 times, making him the first City midfielder since Colin Bell to reach a century of goals.
74. “The 33-year-old has won a remarkable 16 major honours with City, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, one UEFA Champions League and two Community Shields.
75. “Kevin announced the news today on his personal Instagram account.
76. “The Club and all of our fans will now take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to one of the greatest players to ever play in the Premier League.”
79. Phil McNulty
80. BBC Sport chief football writer
81. When any conversation takes place, whether it is now or in the future, about the greatest players to grace the Premier League, Kevin de Bruyne will justifiably be part of it.
82. The heartbeat of one of the finest teams in the history of British football, De Bruyne was a creator supreme, a scorer of goals, a controller and dictator of games at the very highest level.
83. The Premier League has been fortunate to have him and we have been fortunate to watch him.
84. The word “great” is bandied around too easily – but it fits De Bruyne perfectly.
87. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
88. It’s been a pleasure to watch De Bruyne. Bar Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo, the best we’ve seen in English football in the last 40 years.
91. Mike Minay
92. BBC Radio Manchester
93. Kevin de Bruyne is the only player at the club who was here before Pep Guardiola. He will leave as one of the greatest this club has ever seen.
94. It’s a shock, but not a surprise. The now 33-year-old is out of contract in the summer and after a couple of campaigns that have seen him injury-hit and struggle for form, maybe it’s the right time.
95. But it takes nothing away from what he’s achieved: six Premier League titles, two FA Cup, five League Cups… one Champions League.
96. He signed as a ‘£55m flop’ – as one headline wrote. He leaves having paid back every penny of that and more. A legend.
97. Just one question… where does his statue go?

Page 4

2. Well, let’s put Jez’s Get Involved to the test…
3. Is Kevin De Bruyne the best midfielder in Premier League history? Have a go at our poll above.
6. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
7. KDB. Arguably the best player the Prem has ever seen and maybe even English football. Will be sorely missed.
10. Image source, Getty Images
11. If I listed all of the individual accolades Kevin de Bruyne has won during his time at Manchester City we’d be here all day. Here are some of the most significant:

• Manchester City Player of the Season (2015/16, 2017/18, 2019/20, 2021/22)
• Premier League Player of the Season (2019/20, 2021/22)
• Uefa Champions League Team of the Season (2021/22, 2022/23)
• In 2022 De Bruyne finished third in the Ballon d’Or

3. No need to hype this video up. Just sit back, and enjoy….
4. Media caption,
5. Kevin de Bruyne’s best Premier League goals for Manchester City
8. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
9. De Bruyne will certainly go down as a PL legend. Watched him at Newcastle last season when he came on as a sub. His misplaced a pass with his first few touches and the people around me jeered. He then scored and set up the other goal with one of the best assists I’ve ever seen. It suddenly went very quiet.
12. Image source, Getty Images
13. For one reason or another, the 2024-25 season has been by far the least effective for Kevin de Bruyne in a Manchester City shirt.
14. He’s made 31 appearances for the club, with just 21 of those being starts.
15. The Belgian has missed a chunk of the season through injury but even when fit, manager Pep Guardiola hasn’t always looked straight to De Bruyne for a start.
16. He’s found the net just four times so far in this campaign and provided seven assists.
17. A stark decline from the six goals and 18 assists he provided in just 26 appearances in 2023-24.
20. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
21. Absolutely gutted doesn’t cut it. The greatest midfield in modern day premier league. Right up there with David Silva. Cannot believe he’s going. Thank you for everything King Kevin.
24. Image source, Getty Images
25. Speaking of trophies…
26. Kevin de Bruyne joined Manchester City in August 2015 and has since gone on to win 14 major trophies:

• Six Premier League titles
• Two FA Cups
• Five League Cups
• One Champions League

1. Manchester City are in the final four of the FA Cup, could he lift one more?
4. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
5. As a City fan, I would like to thank KDB for everything he has done for City over 10 magnificent years. Countless trophies wins & he has played an absolute pivotal role. Thank you Kevin an absolute legend, start building the statue!
8. Thanks for getting in touch Anon.
9. Some standout lines from De Bruyne’s statement include: “This [Manchester] will always be our home” and “these people gave me everything. I had no choice but to give everything back”.
12. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
13. I’m a Liverpool fan, but there’s no denying he’s one of (if not the) greatest attacking midfielders of the premier league era. Majestic.
16. Manchester City
17. In a statement on his social media, Man City captain Kevin de Bruyne wrote:
18. “Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading. So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player.
19. “Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here – and you deserve to hear it from me first.
20. “Football led me to all of you – and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This City. This club. These people… gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what – we won everything.
21. “Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family. “Manchester” will forever be on our kids’ passports – and more importantly, in each of our hearts.
22. “This will always be our HOME.
23. “We cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride.
24. “Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter.
25. “Let’s enjoy these last moments together!
26. “Much love,
27. “KDB.”
30. Stick with us Anon, we’ll have all the best KDB content right here.
31. Full statement up next…
34. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
35. Of all the days for it to happen, the dab radio in my office has died. We’ve only had it 15 years!
38. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
39. Wow. We’ll switch our focus to all things Kevin de Bruyne.
40. Make sure you have your say on the City midfielder’s Premier League legacy.
41. One of the division’s all-time greats?
44. Huge news.
45. Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has just posted on X that he will be leaving City at the end of the season.
47. West Ham v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 BST)
48. Bournemouth
49. Image source, Getty Images
50. Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola on team news: “Justin [Kluivert] is going to be difficult. I wouldn’t say he is definitely out. We will see today if he can train with us and help us from the bench at least. It is tight.
51. “But the good news is we have [Julian] Araujo back in the squad. He is training well. He is good. We are recovering some of the defenders who have been out but now the issue is on the offensive side.”
54. That’s all from Moyes. And keep getting those votes in on my made up poll below.
55. Lovely little split happening right now.
56. Let’s take a look at the best of the rest of this morning’s news conferences, starting with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola…
59. David Moyes’ comments on that disallowed goal have got me intrigued.
60. We need a thumbs vote to decide the matter once and for all.
61. Thumbs up if you agree with Moyes and believe Liverpool’s goal should have been disallowed for offside, thumbs down if you believe the correct call was made.
63. Everton v Arsenal (Sat, 12:30 BST)
64. Everton
65. Everton manager David Moyes on Liverpool’s goal standing: “You can always hide behind words, can’t you? Ultimately I think anybody who’s followed football over a period of their life has seen that as offside.
66. “So it’s an easy thing for them to come out and say there’s a rule. I think the big thing for them is they’ve said he has to be in his vision. I don’t know who’s deciding that Tarky hasn’t seen him. All the clips you’ve seen show he’s offside.
67. “It’s interesting that we’re just about to go into the semi-automated offsides. It’ll be interesting to know what they’d have done about he decision. It looked as if he was offside.
68. “If the pass wasn’t aimed or going to him I could understand. But we see it all the time. People making blocks, and free-kicks getting given.
69. “I feel as if they’ve had to justify the decision with words.
70. “Look, it’s now gone. We can ask all the questions but we’ve moved on from it.”

Page 5

1. Everton v Arsenal (Sat, 12:30 BST)
2. Everton
3. David Moyes on Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil’s potential returns: “They’re both back in training – Iliman’s back in training, obviously we got him minutes the other day. He’s getting closer, it’s just he’s probably lacking match fitness. But look he’s back in training and we’re considering him.
4. “Dwight’s back in training. He’s probably had three or four days on the grass. He’s getting closer and if we can get him involved we will do.”
7. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)
8. Any abuse directed towards James Tarkowski is totally out of order and if anyone is identified committing such behaviour the law must deal with it. I have attended a lot of Liverpool v Everton games over the years and I was there on wednesday and the abuse directed towards us as LFC fans from the Blue side on the way into the ground was vile and is a worrying trend and a major change in recent years! Liverpool and Everton fans are family we have always had an intense rivalry but unlike the rest of football we had a respect the one for the other!!
9. Whatever Tarkowski did in a football match, sending threats and abuse to him and his family on social media is simply wrong. It is just a game at the end of the day. Hope they identify those responsible and punish them.
11. Everton v Arsenal (Sat, 12:30 BST)
12. Everton
13. Everton manager David Moyes on potential threats aimed at defender James Tarkowski: “The club have issued a statement. It’s not acceptable for anybody, in any walk of life.
14. “Having looked at it again I believe it could have been a sending off. But I don’t think that means you should get abused online because of that. It’s part of football.
15. “He made what I thought at the time was a really good tackle. But having looked at it again I think it was a bit reckless.”
18. Right then, let’s get into what manager David Moyes has had to say in his news conference this morning.
19. It, of course, began with him being asked about that James Tarkowski statement.
22. Everton
23. On Thursday night James Tarkowski’s wife Samantha posted on Instagram: “The level of abuse my husband is receiving wishing death on him, vile comments about me, about us as a couple and about him as a person is beyond disgusting.
24. “People forget that he is more than just a footballer. He is a husband, a son, a brother, a friend and most importantly the father of our two children.
25. “Football is a sport, but the way some so-called fans behave is disgraceful. The abuse, the threats – it’s not passion, it’s pathetic. We’re real people and this goes far beyond football.”
28. How objective can fans be when analysing decision for and against their team?
29. We put mirror polls up on both our Liverpool and Everton pages to gauge the thoughts of both fanbases…
30. Image source, Getty Images
33. Shamoon Hafez
34. BBC Sport football news reporter at Anfield
35. Image source, Getty Images
36. Even Everton manager David Moyes considered his captain James Tarkowski “lucky” to stay on the pitch.
37. Explaining the decision, the Premier League Match Centre said on X: “The referee’s call of yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless.”
38. The key word here is “reckless”, which according to the laws of the game merits a yellow card rather than a red.
39. However, Liverpool – and many onlookers – felt Tarkowski’s challenge was not just reckless but also was made with excessive force.
40. According to law 12, as explained on the Football Association’s website, “a tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play”.
41. It continues: “Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”
44. Image source, Getty Images
45. During Everton’s loss to Liverpool on Wednesday James Tarkowski won the ball but caught Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister just below the knee with his studs in the 11th minute at Anfield.
46. The Everton centre-back was shown a yellow card and the video assistant referee (VAR) decided to take no further action after a review.
47. But on Thursday BBC Sport was told by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) the tackle met the threshold for serious foul play and that Tarkowski should have been sent off.
50. Everton
51. This is the statement in full:
52. “Everton Football Club is aware of threats made towards James Tarkowski, and his family on social media. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and has no place in football or society.
53. “The Club is liaising with James and his wife Samantha, and stands ready to engage with the social media companies and assist the police with any potential investigation.
54. “Everton strongly condemns any form of online or offline intimidation, threats or abuse directed at players, staff, or their families.”
57. Right then, about time we move on, don’t you think?
58. Lots to get into with regard to Everton now following the fallout from the Merseyside derby on Wednesday.
59. Before we get into what manager David Moyes had to say, the club have released a statement this morning condemning abuse aimed at defender James Tarkowski this week.
62. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)
63. Results aside (I know that’s the point) but Ange as a personality is my dream manager, he’s real,honest and logical, he’ll normally admit fault although like all managers tries to protect himself, I’m a Tamworth fan and the players effort and attitude except Archie Gray was dreadful on the whole, so I don’t believe even Pep or Jurgen would’ve got a tune out of these individuals.
66. Tottenham Hotspur
67. Ange Postecoglou was asked about VAR in his news conference this morning after he said it was ‘killing the game’ following last night’s defeat by Chelsea.
68. This is the time it took last night for VAR to reach a decision.
69. Caicedo goal

• 55:25 scored
• 59:08 decision

1. Total: 3 minutes 45 seconds
2. Sarr goal

• 68:51 scored
• 71:54 decision

1. Total: 3 minutes 3 seconds
2. Total combined: 6 minutes 48 seconds
5. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)
6. From the outside looking in, Spurs managerial history from a fans view looks like this. Pochettino: Liked his football. Results not good enough – dumped. Mourinho: Don’t like his football – dumped. Nuno: Don’t like him – dumped. Conte: Don’t like his football, don’t like him – dumped. Ange: Don’t like his football, results not good enough, don’t like him – TBC. Basically, Spurs fans want amazing results, great football and a likeable guy. So they want Klopp?
8. Tottenham v Southampton (Sun, 14:00 BST)
9. Tottenham Hotspur
10. Image source, Getty Images
11. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou provides team news before facing Southampton: “Micky [van de Ven] is alright. He cramped up [against Chelsea]. Obviously, he hadn’t played 90 minutes for a while, the positive thing is that he felt really good apart from the cramping up. It was a tough game defensively, we had to work hard.
12. “Everyone else… nothing significant coming out of the game.”
13. On whether he would rotate the squad for Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt: “To a certain extent, we are a bit beyond that now. The group is in a good place physically where we don’t have to rotate.
14. “We need to gain some momentum. We will make a couple of changes but not too many.”
16. Tottenham v Southampton (Sun, 14:00 BST)
17. Tottenham Hotspur
18. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on VAR’s impact on football: “No doubt. It is not the game. Maybe I was influenced by England and the old First Division. I loved the frenetic pace. I could have watched other divisions but it was always England, end-to-end stuff, speed and tempo, I loved that.
19. “I’ve tried to design a game plan that has tempo and energy because I feel if you want people in there, you want them off their seat. There was 12 minutes of extra time yesterday that’s not why VAR was brought in.
20. “I am the lone voice. I don’t hear anyone else saying. That’s why I am sat here and saying maybe I am disconnected. When I retire, I will probably watch less football and find another hobby.”
22. Tottenham v Southampton (Sun, 14:00 BST)
23. Tottenham Hotspur
24. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, on whether he is affected by the abuse from the fans: “No, I am fine. I don’t get affected by that. I will continue fighting my whole career.
25. “People want me to say something that will change the mood of the fans but I have never done that. My job is the performance of the team. I get that they are frustrated and angry. But at the same time, I understand the criticism towards me, but if anyone looked at the players and said they aren’t trying – then I am sorry they are not watching the right game.”
27. Tottenham v Southampton (Sun, 14:00 BST)
28. Tottenham Hotspur
29. Image source, Getty Images
30. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was asked about his ear-cup gesture at the Spurs supporters after Pape Matar Sarr’s disallowed goal against Chelsea: “I made a mistake last night in that I celebrated a goal. Since VAR came in here, there were four or five incidents in Scotland and I thought I am not really going to celebrate goals.
31. “I just felt we needed something, cracking goal from Pape [Matar Sarr], I heard the fans weren’t happy and I felt the need to celebrate and it could be a real momentum shift to finish strong. My mistake was celebrating a goal, VAR defeated me, I won’t be doing that again.”
34. Right then, we’ve finally got some Ange Postecoglou to bring you.
35. In the least unsurprising news of the day, it kicked off with him being asked about that ear-cup gesture.
38. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
39. Re Ange, as a Celtic fan, real shame to see at what’s happening at Spurs. The whole ‘vibe’ completely different to the unity and harmony in his 2 years at Celtic. I’m sure Ange feeling a disconnect to unrealistic expectations of Spurs fans compared to the adoration in Glasgow! His football would be well suited to a Bundesliga type team, he won’t last the summer at Spurs.
42. Tottenham Hotspur and manager Ange Postecoglou have dominated the day so far but there is plenty more to come as we approach lunchtime.

• We will bring you Everton manager David Moyes’ news conference following the fallout to the Merseyside derby.
• There was another big blow to Arsenal’s campaign midweek as it was discovered defender Gabriel would miss the remainder of the season through injury. We’ll hear from manager Mikel Arteta to dissect the aftermath of that.
• And that leads us on nicely to a new theme coming your way this afternoon. We’ll be turning into a dedicated FPL page a little later on and will be joined by FPL expert Gianni Buttice to preview this weekend’s action.

1. It’s going to be a good one so make sure you stick with us!

Page 6

2. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
3. I kind of feel sorry for Ange. Who do Spurs fans want instead? Didn’t like serial winners Jose or Conte, never liked Nuno as they thought they were above him. Hopefully, Iraola stays away from that job and keeps his reputation in tact.
6. Image source, Getty Images
7. Despite all the negativity, Ange Postecoglou does still have a chance to win silverware this season in the Europa League.
8. It would make his famous second season statement come true.
9. Among the chaos, here’s a list of his achievements to date…
10. Celtic

• Scottish Premiership (2021/22, 2022/23)
• Scottish Cup (2022/23)
• Scottish League Cup (2021/22, 2022/23)

1. Yokohama F. Marinos
2. Australia
3. Brisbane Roar

• A-League Championship (2010/11, 2011/12)
• A-League Premiership (2010/11)

1. South Melbourne

• National Soccer League (1997/98, 1998/99)
• National Soccer League Premiership (1997/98)
• Oceania Club Championship

1. In the A League and National Soccer League (it’s predecessor) the winner of the regular season wins the ‘premiership’ and the winner of the grand final wins the ‘championship’.
4. Shamelessly thumbs upped myself on the last post, thanks Joe.
5. Bah humbug to everyone that thumbs downed.
6. Anyway, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is expected in front of the media very shortly for his pre-match news conference before Sunday’s game against Southampton.
7. This one could get very interesting.
8. We’ll bring you all the updates as they come in.
11. Anyway, I think I’m going to take my break now. Ben Ramsdale will take over proceedings.
12. Give him some thumbs up from me, yeah?
15. Erm, that’s a new one. Top marks for originality though, Josh.
16. But really we should be promoting BBC shows; so, personally, I’d suggest a Strictly-style scoring or Traitors round table approach.
17. And if we did stick to BGT, imagine the fallout when a clearly offside goal gets given because it was Golden Buzzared due to vibes.
20. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
21. Why not make VAR like Britain’s Got Talent. Give each video ref a button, let them watch for 30 seconds then each referee votes for whether they believe the decision should be overturned. If its not unanimous then it’s not a clear and obvious error.
24. New feature alert!
25. It’s time for you to have your say. Well, you have been all morning, but now you can click a button to really highlight your opinion.
26. Is the relationship between Postecoglou and Spurs fans broken?
27. We have a poll running at the top of this page just for you.
28. Alternatively, carry on getting in touch using the usual methods and we will try and get your comments on the live text.
31. We should really rebrand our daily live pages so it looks like Slack or Teams so you guys can spend even more time sneakily skiving.
34. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
35. I hear you on the two live chats challenge but don’t forget we are pretending to work whilst keeping up with the live chat!! And while we turn a blind eye to minor details like if Tarkowski had been sent off then he wouldn’t have intercepted the pass to the offside Diaz and the goal wouldn’t have stood – VAR’karma.
38. Image source, Getty Images
39. You guys are brutal.
40. After Spurs’ 1-0 defeat at Chelsea it’s now mathematically impossible for them to finish higher than Arsenal.
41. It’s the third season in a row this has happened and Gunners fans have dubbed it ‘St Totteringham’s Day’.
44. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
45. Not wishing to upset the general mirth and merriment of the Spurs supporters, but is today not St Totteringham’s Day?
48. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
49. @Mike – Bedford – 8:33 – It wouldn’t be ‘Spursy’ if Tottenham ended up winning the europa league, it would be ‘Spursy’ if they fluke it to the final then lose
52. Tottenham Hotspur
53. …is awful, to put it bluntly.
54. Tottenham have failed to win any of their past nine Premier League games against teams starting the day in the top half of the table – drawing just one of those and losing the other eight.
55. Four of their remaining fixtures are against teams in the top half.
58. Oh dear, have us journos been rumbled again?
59. Let’s dig a bit more into Spurs’ form then…
62. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
63. Ange using the classic Jose tactic of saying ridiculous but headline making statements to distract from another terrible result and performance. I think the Europa League is probably what’s keeping him in the job, for now, but when they don’t win that, he’s gone!
66. Tim, I can barely keep across one live text. Imagine how bad things would get if my attention was split between two!
69. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
70. Having watched “Ange’s Rants” & “Tarko’s Tackle” It’s clear and obvious … we need VAR-VAR to review clear and obvious errors by VAR … although that might need a second live page chat to discuss.
71. Tim (still video reviewing Ange’s ear cup)
74. Tottenham Hotspur
75. With Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou under serious pressure, these are the remaining Premier League fixtures that Tottenham Hotspur will have to navigate between now and the end of the season.

• Southampton (h)
• Wolves (a)
• Nottingham Forest (h)
• Liverpool (a)
• West Ham (a)
• Crystal Palace (h)
• Aston Villa (a)
• Brighton (h)

Page 7

2. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
3. I’ve always thought VAR (apart from Goal Line and Semi Automated Offside as they should be quick and easy) should be done the same way as in Cricket. Both teams have 2 VAR ‘appeals’ which the captain asks for. If they are upheld then you keep them, if they are wrong you lose them. If something happens and you have already used up your appeals well that’s just bad luck.
6. I like it, thanks Andrew.
7. I’m waiting for somebody to suggest a “Captain’s challenge” approach. I reckon that’ll fix things.
10. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
11. VAR reviews should be limited to three replays. If no ‘clear and obvious error’ is seen during those, the onfield decision stands. 30 seconds maximum.
13. Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham
14. Jamie Redknapp
15. Former Tottenham midfielder on Sky Sports
16. On Ange Postecoglou’s VAR complaints: “It [Tottenham’s goal being disallowed] was clear and obvious, I would say that.
17. “I totally get his frustration because it does border on re-refereeing the game but ultimately, it got to the right decision. How he [Craig Pawson] had to stand at the screen and look at it as long as he did when you can see it’s a blatant foul. He catches him high, it’s quite a nasty foul to be honest.
18. “This is what we put VAR in for, to help the referee but it should be 30 seconds, go and look at it. You should understand the game enough.”
20. Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham
21. Image source, Getty Images
22. The two VAR incidents on Thursday evening took just under eight minutes to resolve.
23. Moises Caicedo’s strike which was disallowed for a marginal offside, took just under four minutes to resolve, while Pape Sarr’s equaliser which was eventually brought back for a foul on Caicedo, took over three minutes.
26. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
27. Ange’s continual ‘we stick to the plan, this is the way we play’ is exactly what Russell Martin and Nathan Jones said at Southampton, and their plan wasn’t working at Southampton for the same reason as at Spurs – they didn’t have the talent to play like that. The only saving grace at Spurs is that their quality is slightly better – 14th in the league quality, not 20th. And what has Ange actually achieved before in a top flight league? Nothing. Even in Scotland he was on comfortably the best horse in a two-horse race, so there’s no pedigree there.
30. That video’s a really great watch by the way.
31. The last chunk is Postecoglou’s answer when he was asked why he made an ear-cupping gesture towards his own supporters.
34. “It’s all going to be refereed by AI soon, we may as well dispense with the players at some point.”
35. I think we should open up a new Get Involved thread, to run alongside our current Ange Postecoglou one.
36. Has VAR gone too far?
40. Need a laugh this morning?
41. On last night’s live text somebody said VAR should get booked for time-wasting…
43. Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham
44. Image source, Getty Images
45. Ange Postecoglou, who has often criticised VAR, became embroiled in a lively post-match interview with Sky Sports.
46. This came after he saw midfielder Pape Sarr’s goal ruled out by the video assistant for a foul in the build-up on Moises Caicedo.
47. “It’s killing the game, mate. It’s not the same game it used to be,” he said.
48. “We all sat on our couches last night and watched TV [when Everton’s James Tarkowski was not sent off for a high challenge on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister] and I guarantee you if Jarred Gillett was VAR last night, it would’ve been a different outcome, so you just don’t know what we’re going to get.
49. “You are standing around for 12 minutes. It’s just killing the game, but no-one cares about that. They just love the drama and controversy and I’m sure there will be 24 hours of discussion about it and that’s what everyone wants – they’re not really interested that it’s killing the spectacle of the game.
50. “If a referee sees that and he needs to see it for six minutes, what’s clear and obvious about it?
51. “Last night we were all sat on our couches and saw one replay and thought: ‘Oh my God.’
52. “Tonight we sat there and were waiting for six minutes for something that VAR official Jarred Gillett thought was clear and obvious – it’s crazy, it’s madness.
53. “We accept it and have to take the fall out from it. Clear and obvious? What does that suggest? That it’s on the first replay. That’s why the game is going the way it is.”
56. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
57. I actually really rate Ange, but unfortunately the writing is on the wall. Actually think Martin from Derby made a fair point about Brendan Rogers.
59. Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham
60. Image source, Getty Images
61. Let’s keep looking at the stats.
62. Tottenham’s loss to Chelsea was their 16th of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
63. That number of defeats is more than any they have picked up in the previous 21 campaigns – and there is still eight games to play.
64. The last time they lost 16 or more games in a single Premier League campaign was the 2003-04 season where they suffered 19 losses.
65. That number equalled their record number of defeats in the Premier League era, also suffering 19 in 1993-94.
66. Should they lose three of their final eight fixtures, which is not beyond the realms of possibility – they will once again match that unwanted record.
67. Lose four, and they’ll break it.
70. That’s the thing, if Tottenham win the Europa League, trophy-wise Ange Postecoglou will be the most successful Spurs manager since Juande Ramos.
71. Would he get a contract extension?
74. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
75. I’ve been a staunch Ange defender for a while, he inherited a rag-tag squad assembled under four very different managers and got some kind of tune out of them initially. This season has been completely derailed, partly by injuries, mostly by lack of squad depth and questionable effort on the pitch. Winning the Europa League would cap off one of the Spursiest seasons in recent memory.
77. Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham

• Tottenham’s lowest Premier League finish remains 15th in 1994 under manager Ossie Ardiles – when survival was only ensured in their penultimate match.
• They have now lost 16 league games this season – their record in a 20-team league is 19, set in 2003-04.
• Since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, only six times have Spurs lost 16 or more league matches in a campaign.
• Spurs’ lowest points tally in a Premier League season – and in fact since three points for a win was introduced in 1981 – is 44. They need 11 points from their final eight games to pass that tally.
• With 16 defeats in 30 matches, Spurs’ loss percentage this season is 53% – and they haven’t lost more than half of their league matches over a whole season since 1934-35. They lost exactly half of their league matches in 1953-94, 1974-75, 1976-77 – when they were relegated – and 2003-04.
• Postecoglou has only won 44 points from his past 39 league matches in charge – stretching back over the end of last season.

3. Oh heck. Not the first time I’ve tried to rub a Spurs trophy out of the record books. Remember the 1903 Sheriff of London Charity Shield debacle?
6. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
7. And Lee has also seen Spurs win the 1999 league cup…
10. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
11. I will get lots of thumbs down for this but Spurs need Brendan Rogers. He would give Spurs impetus. Two top 6 finishes with Leicester, the FA Cup and a Gerrard slip away from the PL title with Liverpool. Let the thumbs down commence.
14. “Dramatically underqualified”.
15. Strong words.
16. Out of interest, what are the entry requirements for the Tottenham job? A trophy? Multiple trophies? A B/6 in GCSE English and Maths?

Page 8

2. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
3. I’ve disagreed with most of my Spurs friends on this for a long time. but think that Ange has been out of his depth since the start. ‘Angeball’ is just not a thing any more, and hasn’t been since Chelsea at home, Nov 23. We look demotivated, tired, and like a team with no instruction. He’s dramatically under qualified – him getting the Spurs job is like me becoming CEO of Apple because I work in a phone shop. He needs to go now before he causes any more harm.
5. Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham
6. Jamie Redknapp
7. Former Tottenham midfielder on Sky Sports
8. There’s a disconnect between the two [Tottenham fans and Ange Postecoglou] at the moment. It’s not ideal for the manager.
9. He’s got some big games ahead. He’s got to keep his head up, got to keep going, working hard and believing in what they do.
12. If Lee has supported Tottenham since 1985 he has seen his team lift two major trophies. The 1991 FA Cup and 2008 League Cup.
13. See also the 1991 Charity Shield and 2019 Audi Cup.
16. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
17. How much is down to the players? They have to take some blame for sure, but I honestly think it’s the way we set up. We’ve been found out. Change Udogie for Spence or Maddison for Bergvall…. We play the same way and that’s easy to nullify. At that point my blame lies with the coach. Change the system, the way of playing, anything….
18. Lee…. Increasingly pessimistic spurs fan (and that says something after 40 years of it)
20. Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham
21. Postecoglou is the first Spurs manager to lose his first four matches against Chelsea, while they have fewer points in London derbies this season than any of their neighbours – and the bigger picture offers no solace.
22. With eight games left, Spurs are 14th, and could well finish outside the top 10 for the first time in 17 years. They are now battling to avoid their worst season in the Premier League era.
25. Seriously though, Spurs fans, how much of your side’s recent poor form is down to the players on the pitch?
28. Oof. You know things aren’t ideal when the “you’re not good enough to warrant this much complaining” message drops.
31. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
32. I don’t know why everyone is giving Ange such grief. Tottenham are just not a good side anymore, and they haven’t been for a long time. Not his fault.
34. Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham
35. Image source, Getty Images
36. According to Opta’s supercomputer, Tottenham Hotspur’s most likely finish in the Premier League in 2024-25 is where they currently sit – 14th.
37. They have a 24.3% chance of ending the season in the lower mid-table.
38. What’s more worrying for Spurs fans is the likelihood of finishing in the top half. It’s hardly shooting for the stars but the latest supercomputer calculations have the chances of Ange Postecoglou’s side finishing in the top half at just 1.4%.
39. They actually have a higher percentage chance of finishing one spot above the drop in 17th (5.2%) than they do finishing in the top half.
40. Should they end the season 12th or below, which seems increasingly likely, Spurs will achieve their worst Premier League finish since the 2003-04 season, where they ended the year 14th with 45 points.
43. Thanks for getting in touch, both.
44. Football moves so fast, doesn’t it? Remember when Tottenham went down to nine men months ago and we were praising Postecoglou for sticking with his Plan A high-pressing system.
45. Now he’s “stiflingly rigid”.
48. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
49. When Ange came we were all wishing him the best but the play is so predictable and stiflingly rigid. Teams know what they’ll get week in, week out. Both the fans and the players look like they’ve had enough; I know I have.
52. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
53. Fair play to Ange if he was trying to make a point. The guys just been hammered by our fans and his sub (at that point) had paid off. That said I don’t think he was….. I think he speaks the truth and what he said was what he was doing
56. Image source, Getty Images

• Postecoglou makes two subs in the 64th minute.
• Pape Sarr and Brennan Johnson come on for Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert.
• Some Tottenham fans boo and chant “you don’t know what you’re doing”.
• In minute 70, Sarr scores.
• Postecoglou turns to the Spurs fans and TV pictures show he appears to cup his ear to the Tottenham supporters.
• The goal then gets disallowed as Sarr was shown to have fouled in the build-up.

3. Be interesting to hear your thoughts on the ear-cupping gesture.
4. Are you one of those fans who, as Postecoglou says, was “reading into it that he was trying to make a point”.
6. Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham
7. Image source, Getty Images
8. When asked about the incident where he appeared to cups his ears to the Spurs fans, manager Ange Postecoglou said: “Jeez mate, it’s incredible how things get interpreted. We’d just scored, I just wanted to hear them cheer. Because we’d been through a tough time, and I thought it was a cracking goal.
9. “I wanted them to get really excited. I felt at that point we could potentially go on and win the game. I just felt momentum was on our [side]. It doesn’t bother me. It’s not the first time they’ve booed my substitutions or my decisions. That’s fine, they’re allowed to do that.
10. “But we’d just scored a goal, just scored an equaliser, I was just hoping we could get some excitement. If people want to read into that that somehow I’m trying to make a point about something, like I said, we’d been through a tough time, but I just felt there was a bit of a momentum shift there.
11. “If they get really behind the lads, I thought we had the momentum to finish on top of them.”
14. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
15. I’m not a Spurs fan but Big Ange has looked filled with regret about his career choices for quite some time. He’s looked a man actively hoping to get sacked and paid off since before Christmas. Hasn’t gelled with the fans, looks constantly miserable and his teams just haven’t performed. I can’t believe I’m adding fuel to a managerial change bonfire but he looks like he already knows he won’t be there past May.
17. Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham
18. Nizaar Kinsella
19. BBC Sport football news reporter
20. Image source, Getty Images
21. Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou is looking more isolated than ever.
22. The Australian directed a brief clap towards the furious travelling away fans from near the halfway line following his side’s 1-0 loss at Chelsea but, by then, it could be argued the damage had already been done.
23. Enzo Fernandez’s second-half header was enough to inflict a 16th defeat of the season on Tottenham and leave them 14th in the Premier League – 10 points away from the top 10 – and the signs are growing some fans have had enough.
24. Chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” came from the away end after midfielder Lucas Bergvall was replaced by Pape Sarr in the 65th minute.
25. Remarkably, Sarr found the net with an excellent long-range strike just four minutes later, leading Postecoglou to cup his ear and turn to the away end, only for VAR to then rule out the goal for a foul on Moises Caicedo.
28. get involved#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
29. As a Spurs fan I am used to losing at Stamford Bridge. Yesterday was expected, but after weeks off and all the players back we offered nothing. The performance is much worse than the result. No idea what the pattern of play is, no urgency on transition. Ange has had his time and it’s up.
31. Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham
32. Emily Salley
33. BBC Sport
34. Image source, Getty Images
35. Enzo Fernandez scored as Chelsea beat Tottenham to move into the Premier League’s top four and boost their hopes of Champions League football next season.
36. Defeat for Spurs piled more pressure on head coach Ange Postecoglou – whose side stay 14th, and remain on course to finish outside the top 10 for the first time since 2008.
37. Chelsea dominated and were rewarded in the 50th minute when Fernandez headed home Palmer’s inch-perfect delivery.
38. Moises Caicedo swept a crisp volley past Guglielmo Vicario moments later, but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside in the build-up following a four-minute VAR review.
39. Tottenham then had an equaliser ruled out after substitute Pape Matar Sarr fired in from 20 yards out.
40. Referee Craig Pawson, advised by VAR to have a look at the pitchside monitor, overturned his decision after watching the Spurs midfielder catch Caicedo with his studs before taking aim.
43. I’m waiting for things to get spicey in the Get Involves.
44. Luckily for you guys I’m in a very calm and level-headed mood.
45. I had another radio-playing taxi driver this morning, although this time instead of noughties bangers it was all classical.

Page 9

Image source, Getty Images

Morning everyone, I reckon today’s going to be really fun.

There was so much drama in last night’s match.

Chelsea edged past Tottenham 1-0. VAR disallowed two goals. And Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou appeared to cup his ear towards his own supporters after a Pape Sarr equaliser – only for that leveller to eventually be ruled out!