Wilson and Iwobi earn Fulham win to increase Tottenham relegation fears

Wilson and Iwobi earn Fulham win to increase Tottenham relegation fears

As each passing week goes by, the threat of relegation becomes more real for Tottenham. This is no longer a quirk that it can be assumed will automatically be corrected. The monster exists, it is getting closer and fear is beginning to set in and make itself seen in their play. Defeat on Sunday was not only far more emphatic than the scoreline might suggest, but it was Spurs’ fourth reverse in a row, extending their run without a win in the Premier League to 10. The only sliver of relief was that all their relegation rivals lost as well. But this was grim stuff from Tottenham. Although they were well beaten by Arsenal last week, it had at least been possible to discern vague glimmers of hope in their capacity to get bodies in the way, or in the aggression of Randal Kolo Muani. There was none of that here. Spurs were limp, apathetic. The 4-4-2 Igor Tudor slightly surprisingly deployed didn’t work. Conor Gallagher had a nightmare. Xavi Simons was nonexistent. Kolo Muani kept running the ball out of play, as though surprised the pitch were not significant bigger. All three were withdrawn just before the hour. Continue reading...

Welbeck lifts Brighton to leave Nottingham Forest two points off drop zone

Welbeck lifts Brighton to leave Nottingham Forest two points off drop zone

These are concerning times for Vítor Pereira. Nottingham Forest’s fourth permanent manager of this crazy season may be only four matches into his spell in charge but – given owner Evangelos Marinakis’s record – his position is already looking precarious. A second Premier League defeat in succession since he was appointed to replace Sean Dyche a fortnight ago leaves Forest sweating just two points clear of the drop zone and facing a daunting trip to Manchester City on Wednesday. They never looked like capitalising on West Ham’s heavy defeat against Liverpool on Saturday against a Brighton side packed with experience and who recorded their first home victory for two months thanks to goals from Diego Gómez and Danny Welbeck – his 10th of the season – to ease more of the pressure on Fabian Hürzeler. Continue reading...

Celebration or grief? Khamenei’s death brings contrasting emotions in Iran

Celebration or grief? Khamenei’s death brings contrasting emotions in Iran

Some publicly mourn leader’s demise but videos also show jubilant response after violent crackdown in January US-Israel war on Iran – latest updates Clusters of celebration and mourning have broken out across Iran in response to the death of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , in an extraordinary public response to the end of nearly four decades of the top cleric’s rule. In the squares of Tehran, crowds gathered to mourn the leader, chanting and holding placards with his image. But videos shared widely on social media also showed people celebrating, dancing, honking car horns and setting off fireworks as news of the leader’s death broke. Reuters and AFP contributed to this report Continue reading...