Brighton and Liverpool Draw in Tense Finish
Brighton and Liverpool came close to late victories in a tense match that ended in a goalless draw, a result that slightly distances Liverpool from the relegation zone. The game lacked quality in the final third, with the most notable moments occurring in the 89th minute, as both teams nearly secured a win in the closing stages.
At 4 minutes, Nottingham Forest started well, demonstrating crisp and confident passing.
Match Report: Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland
On Friday morning, Eddie Howe remarked that some results carry "bigger consequences than others," and Sunderland's victory over Newcastle was certainly one of those. Régis Le Bris’s promoted Sunderland completed a double over Newcastle, delivering a significant setback to Howe and his squad at St James’ Park.
This defeat came just four days after Newcastle’s heavy loss in Barcelona and against a Sunderland side missing key players, marking one of the most challenging afternoons for Howe this season.
At 3 minutes, Danso, running back towards his own goal, successfully beat Igor Jesus to a dangerous cross from Gibbs-White, heading the ball safely for goalkeeper Vicario to claim.
Also at 3 minutes, Simon McMahon commented on the Tyne-Wear derby at Tannadice, where Dundee United led 2-0 against reigning champions Celtic, drawing parallels to a recent match against Dundee.
At 2 minutes, Tottenham Hotspur began in a 4-4-2 formation with Micky Van de Ven at left-back. The early moments saw Spurs kick off moving left to right.
West Ham made a late change to their starting XI at Villa Park, with Freddie Potts replacing Jean-Clair Todibo, who suffered an injury during the warm-up. This substitution may have also led to a formation change.
Contrary to initial expectations of a 3-4-2-1 formation, Sky Sports reported Spurs were playing with two strikers upfront.
Tottenham Hotspur lineup (4-4-2): Vicario; Spence, Danso, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro, Gray, Sarr, Tel; Richarlison, Solanke.
Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Joao Palhinha, Simons, Udogie, Bergvall, Gallagher, Souza, Muani.
Nottingham Forest lineup (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Igor Jesus.
Subs: Ortega, Morato, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Dominguez, Yates, McAtee, Netz, Bakwa.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
Regarding the game, there is curiosity about historical references, including a note from Harvey Auzorst about Jim Ramsey, a former ITV Sport producer, though the backstory remains unclear.
Matt Dony reflected on Tottenham’s changing reputation:
"Unless you’re a Friend Of Piers (as I’m sure NO Arsenal fans want to be known), it’s traditionally been fairly difficult to truly dislike Spurs. They just naturally seemed to have a decent amount of goodwill about them. Generally trying to play good football, interesting signings, decent results without being too successful. Lots of people seemed to have a soft spot for them.
It feels like they’ve burned an awful lot of that goodwill over the last few years, though. To the point where, previously, I think most of us would be sad to see the predicament they’re in now. In actuality, though, it is (and we have to be honest) really quite funny. I still hope they don’t go down, but I have the popcorn out either way. And a heartfelt apology to the many, many fine Spurs fans who are going through the wringer."
On the Ball – Guess the Footballer
has launched a new puzzle series titled "On the ball," now available in the app for iOS and Android devices.
Charles Antaki commented on the upcoming matches:
"Not a six-pointer then, but – for Man City and Arsenal fans, maybe an amuse-bouche? Little about it suggests the tantalising delicacy that the term suggests. Hors-d’oeuvre, perhaps, but pronounced horses’ hooves for the thundering and galumphing likely to be on show."
Morgan Gibbs-White might find this characterization contentious.
Late drama unfolded in the Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park, with Luke McLaughlin providing updates.
The night before Nottingham Forest’s European match in Denmark, club captain Ryan Yates was reviewing Champions League fixtures at the team hotel in Silkeborg, focusing particularly on Tottenham’s rematch with Atlético Madrid. Both Spurs and Forest face precarious positions near the bottom of the Premier League.
Vítor Pereira emphasized the importance of the Premier League with eight games remaining, despite renewed hopes of European success. Both clubs experienced a positive week: Forest overturned a first-leg deficit to advance in Europe, and Spurs built on a strong performance and result at Liverpool by securing a victory, although they were eliminated on aggregate.
Richarlison, often criticized, has quietly scored nine goals this season and could be pivotal in the coming months. Forest’s leading league scorer is Morgan Gibbs-White with eight goals.
Igor Tudor noted that data indicates his players are among the "top four or five of all season for high-intensity runs." Opta data shows Forest is winning the ball higher up the pitch more frequently and applying increased high-intensity pressure, leading to more successful attacks under Tudor’s management compared to his predecessor Thomas Frank.
Tudor stated:
"The squad is like one living thing, modulating the energy day by day, training by training, game by game. The changes that happen are a result of the process. Sometimes you do better at one thing or another thing. It’s always about the level of problems there are to resolve, so you try to do your best and if you are good and the problems are not too big then you see the consequences. It’s all about that. Sometimes you need even more time. For sure, that’s an important thing. Now, it’s just to keep on. Don’t allow this to disappear. Keep them strong and continue in the same way."
The Relegation Runners and Riders
Nottingham Forest
Reasons for optimism: Nottingham Forest currently sit 17th in the Premier League table, just above the relegation zone due to a superior goal difference compared to West Ham. A victory against Tottenham on Sunday could help them extend their lead. Forest have won their last three matches against Spurs and are beginning to show signs of stability under Vítor Pereira, their fourth manager this season. Although frequent managerial changes are not ideal, Pereira’s focus on video analysis and individual coaching has improved results.
Forest recently came from behind twice to draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and followed that with a draw against Fulham and a win over Midtjylland in the Europa League. These results indicate positive progress at a critical stage of the season.
Aston Villa v West Ham Team News
Aston Villa lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Barkley, Onana; McGinn, Rogers, Sancho; Watkins.
Subs: Bizot, Mings, Tielemans, Buendia, Abraham, Douglas Luiz, Maatsen, Bogarde, Bailey.
West Ham lineup (3-4-2-1): Hermansen; Todibo, Mavropanos, Disasi; Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Fernandes, Diouf; Bowen, Pablo Felipe; Castellanos.
Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Wilson, Traore, Magassa, Scarles, Potts, Kante.
Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire).
Xavi Simons is omitted from the Spurs squad despite scoring twice against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday. He is replaced by Richarlison, who was suspended for that game. Kevin Danso and the fit-again Dominic Solanke return to the starting lineup, replacing Radu Dragusin and Randal Kolo Muani.
Vítor Pereira made eight changes to the starting XI from the team that played Midtjylland in Denmark, with Nikola Milenkovic and Omari Hutchinson the only survivors.
Tottenham Hotspur lineup (3-4-2-1): Vicario; Danso, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro, Gray, Sarr, Spence; Richarlison, Tel; Solanke.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
The relegation battle is tight, with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham separated by only one point, alongside Leeds United. One of these four clubs is likely to be relegated to the Championship next season. Forest, West Ham, and Leeds have recent experience in the second tier, while Spurs have not been relegated since the 1970s.
Seven games remain after today’s fixtures, and the result of the Spurs vs Forest match could prove decisive. Both teams face must-not-lose situations as they struggle near the bottom of the table.
Spurs hope to have turned a corner after Richarlison’s injury-time equalizer at Anfield, followed by a win over Atlético Madrid, despite exiting on aggregate. Forest, though they endured extra time in Belgium, have won their last three matches against Spurs, including a 3-0 victory at the City Ground in December, and have arguably performed better than their recent league results suggest.
Both clubs have been affected by former manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked by both teams but has since revitalized West Ham. His January win over Spurs sparked a run of 15 points in nine games for West Ham. Another victory at Aston Villa today would lift West Ham out of the relegation zone for the first time in 2026.
Goal updates from the Aston Villa vs West Ham match will be provided, but the primary focus remains on the events in north London.
