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Tottenham 3 AZ Alkmaar 1 (agg 3-2): Odobert scores either side of Maddison to seal incredible Europa League comeback

Two Tottenham Hotspur players celebrating a goal.

WILSON ODOBERT went from Mr Forgettable to the centre of attention by rescuing Ange Postecoglou in his hour of need.

The Frenchman, 20, has hardly played since joining from Burnley in August for £25million due to a serious hamstring injury.

Tottenham Hotspur players celebrating a goal.
EPA
Wilson Odobert celebrates his crucial second goal[/caption]

But he stepped up when it mattered most here as his first goals for the club helped Spurs to a second-leg comeback against AZ and into the Europa League last eight.

Odobert netted either side of a James Maddison strike, which he also had a hand in, and a Peer Koopmeiners’ effort which gave AZ some short-lived hope.

It was vindication for boss Postecoglou for starting the youngster despite his lack of game-time.

And a decision that may well have helped save his job.

Make no mistake, the heat could have cranked up to intolerable levels on the Aussie if he had lost this game.

It would have effectively ended their season, given they are out of both domestic cups and down to 13th in the league.

But victory last night keeps their Europa League dream alive and the possibility that this difficult second season can still have a glorious finale under the ex-Celtic chief.

Postecoglou’s side had stunk the place out in the first leg at the home of the Cheese Farmers.

Match stats graphic showing Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar: Tottenham 3-1.  Includes shots on target, shots, blocked shots, possession, passes, completed passes, tackles, fouls conceded, and corners.

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That is the delightful nickname for AZ Alkmaar on account of the town’s association with the much-loved sandwich filler.

Tottenham were lucky to lose only 1-0 and were it not for a couple of top stops from goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, they would have been toast at the halfway stage of this tie.

Postecoglou was boosted by his first-choice centre-back pairing being able to start for the first time in three months.

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven had not lined up alongside each other since they both got injured at home to Chelsea on December 8.

Romero made his comeback in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth and looked rusty as an old nail, misplacing passes left, right and centre.

But here he looked far more focused from the off and looked to spark attacks from deep whenever he could.

The Argentine World Cup winner also added that fire that has been sorely lacking from the Spurs in recent months, snapping into tackles and giving former team-mate Troy Parrott a rollicking when he felt the Irishman was feigning injury.

Vicario, Postecoglou and Son had urged the Spurs fans to generate a buzzing atmosphere ahead of the game to give the team every advantage of turning it round.

And in fairness, the crowd duly obliged by bringing the noise.

Spurs looked far sharper than in the Netherlands – admittedly, a low bar to overcome – and their pressing game was on point.

In fact it was from some tireless closing down by captain Son Heung-min that the hosts took the lead.

The South Korean’s industry paid off as Wouter Goes’ poor pass deflected off the Spurs skipper into Dominic Solanke’s path.

Solanke then squared for Odobert, who blasted in his first strike since the opening day of the season for Burnley against Luton in the Championship – four days before he joined Spurs.

Postecoglou often criticises his side for being “too passive” after bad displays but they were aggressive in everything they did here, with Romero and Van de Ven setting the tone.

But Spurs have always looked capable of shooting themselves in the foot during Postecoglou’s reign – and long before that, in truth – so you always feared a mistake.

Pedro Porro provided one just before half-time with a weak pass straight to the opposition which led to the excellently-named Zico Buurmeester firing a warning shot wide.

Then shortly after half-time, Vicario had fans having kittens as he messed around with the ball at his feet and almost lost it to Parrott right in front of his goal.

Yet seconds later, Spurs were 2-0 up.

Porro won the ball and played it to Odobert, who shipped it on to Maddison.

The England man, desperate for a recall to the national squad today (FRI), exchanged a clever one-two with Son before firing home his 11th goal of the season.

Spurs looked relatively comfortable at that point – but then, just after the hour, disaster struck.

Odobert had raced back to intercept but then saw Bergvall’s careless pass ricochet off him into the path of Koopmeiners, who provided the most clinical of finishes.

Eleven minutes later though, the former PSG academy man more than made up for it by finishing off a breathtaking team goal at the far post.

Maddison began the move with a clever turn which led to Spence cutting the ball across the box, Solanke backheeling it on and Odobert sticking it in at the far post.

It was Ange Ball at its finest – which could not have come at a better time for Postecoglou.

The goal reminded everyone what his team is capable of when they are purring, and just why this season can still be a success.

Match Stats

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Holly Willoughby stuns in tree-print minidress as she posts throwback pic from Celebrity Bear Hunt

TV’s Holly Willoughby has fans in the palm of her hand in a tree-themed minidress.

Holly, 44, shared the picture from her time shooting the Netflix series Celebrity Bear Hunt in Costa Rica.

Holly Willoughby at sunset, wearing a patterned dress and boots.
Holly Willoughby looked stunning in a tree-print dress on Instagram
Instagram
Holly Willoughby in a patterned dress at sunset.
Instagram
The pic was from Holly’s time shooting Celebrity Bear Hunt in Costa Rica[/caption]

It was released last month and features stars including Mel B and Shirley Ballas.

The show proved popular with fans, shooting straight to the top of the Netflix chart.

Now the sequel run is earmarked to start filming this autumn.

However the streamer is considering a shift to South Africa or Australia amid drug gang fears in Costa Rica.

A TV insider said: “The reception to Celebrity Bear Hunt has been favourable, so the streamer wanted to make the most of its popularity.

“There’s a huge amount of planning involved in producing such a huge show.

“That’s not to mention the logistics and safety measures that have to be put in place to look after the welfare of Holly, Bear and the dozen celebrities who take part.

“Plus they have to think about the safety of the huge crew required to make the programme — and South Africa and Australia are far more stable than Costa Rica.”

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Europa League quarter-finals CONFIRMED as Man Utd and Tottenham learn their fate

MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham are through to the Europa League quarter-finals.

United saw past Real Sociedad 4-1 on the night thanks to a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick – winning 5-2 on aggregate.

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates scoring a goal.
Reuters
Bruno Fernandes fired Man Utd into the Europa League quarter-finals[/caption]
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur celebrating a goal.
Getty
James Maddison helped Spurs into the next round[/caption]

And they will now play France’s Lyon – who hammered Romania FCSB’s 7-1 over two legs.

Spurs beat AZ Alkmaar 3-1 in their second leg and 3-2 overall to progress into the last eight.

And they will now play Germans Eintracht Frankfurt, who beat Ajax 4-1 in their last 16 second leg.

Bodo/Glimt will also play Lazio while Athletic Bilbao take on either Rangers or Fenerbahce.

MORE TO FOLLOW

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Tyson Fury breaks silence with seven-word post after his successor to face Oleksandr Usyk is announced

TYSON FURY has spoken out in support of Joseph Parker – who is on the verge of fighting Oleksandr Usyk.

Parker was due to lose his WBO interim belt and shot at Usyk’s belt after agreeing to face IBF champion Daniel Dubois on February 22.

Joseph Parker and Tyson Fury posing together.
https://www.instagram.com/joeboxerparker/
Joseph Parker with Tyson Fury[/caption]
Oleksandr Usyk punches Tyson Fury during a boxing match.
GETTY
Oleksandr Usyk twice beat Fury[/caption]

But Dubois pulled out with just days to go as Martin Bakole filled in as a replacement – only to be knocked out by Parker in one round in Riyadh.

And now Parker has retained his spot as Usyk’s mandatory challenger – with the two camps ordered into talks.

Taking to Instagram, Fury wrote: “About time as well give @joeboxerparker his shot!!”

Fury, 36, was twice beaten on point by Usyk, 38, and retired after their December rematch.

His protege Parker, 33, also called out Dubois, 28, to reschedule their bout but now looks set to focus on Usyk.

His promoter David Higgins told Sky Sports: “We have no idea whether or not it will happen next.

“But I can tell you this. I’ve spoken to Joseph Parker today and he would love to fight for a world title.

“He will fight anyone, anywhere for a world title. That’s his goal, to fight for a world title.

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“Joseph is patiently waiting, keeping fit, and if an opportunity comes to fight for a title, he would love to grab it. We’d take it in a heartbeat.”

Usyk – who beat Dubois in 2023 – was linked with a rematch at Wembley for the undisputed crown.

He now has to face Parker in order to retain his WBO belt and make that possible.

And Serhii Lapin, from his team, stated: “No matter what, Oleksandr Usyk’s goal is to become an undisputed heavyweight champion – again. The path to it? As God wills.”

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Man Utd 4 Real Sociedad 1 (agg 5-2): Bruno Fernandes scores hat-trick as United storm into Europa League quarter-final

IT’S safe to assume Jim Ratcliffe was not talking about Bruno Fernandes when he groaned about certain Manchester United players being ‘overpaid and not good enough’.

In fact amid all the job cuts and costs being slashed at Old Trafford, they might have to find a way to give the skipper a pay rise.

Bruno Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee celebrating a goal.
AP
Bruno Fernandes scored twice from the penalty spot to send his side through[/caption]
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrating a goal.
AP
The United skipper kept his cool before slotting home[/caption]
Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates scoring a goal.
PA
Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the fifth minute[/caption]
Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United reacts after missing a goal.
EPA
Rasmus Hojlund faltered in front of goal once again[/caption]

Time and time again it is the Portuguese talisman who comes to their rescue. Where would the Red Devils be without him?

With their season on a knife edge after an early penalty put Real Sociedad in command, Fernandes was the coolest man on the park – not once, but twice.

He scored two spot-kicks of his own – one in each half – to edge Ruben Amorim’s men into the quarter-finals against their 10-man opponents.

Then he claimed the match ball by latching onto Alejandro Garnacho’s pass to smash his effort into the corner.

Thanks to him a chaotic campaign is still alive – and could still result in an unlikely spot in the Champions League in September.

Just five games now separate United from Europa League glory and a ticket back to the top table – if Fernandes carries on playing like this, you never know.

The riches that come with that would be a big boost to the Old Trafford coffers – and Amorim’s transfer kitty.

Ratcliffe has had plenty to say this week – talking about the situation they walked into last year at United and also some of the players they ‘inherited’.

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Match stats graphic showing Man Utd vs Real Sociedad; Man Utd 4-1.

Yet three of those he name-checked in his wide-ranging interview – Andre Onana, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund – were all picked to start in a game that was pivotal to their season.

As Amorim said pre-match, all of them had the chance to prove themselves to the billionaire Ineos magnate.

United wasted the chance to all but seal a quarter-final spot in the first leg in San Sebastian last week as they tired and allowed the Spanish side back into it.

And the visitors started here like they were determined to make the most of that reprieve.

Matthijs De Ligt looked to have just beaten Mikel Oyarzabal to a cross from Artiz Elustondo – and in any case the offside flag went up.

But there were a few appeals for a penalty among the travelling fans and the VAR told ref Benoit Bastien to have a look at his monitor.

That showed the Euro 2024 winner had drawn a foul from the United defender.

Just as he did last week, the Spanish forward scored emphatically from the spot – sending Onana the wrong way.

Only 10 minutes gone and United were behind to a team currently 11th in the Spanish league.

Given United’s dismal record here this season, heads could easily have gone down but spurred on by the skipper, they hit back.

Fernandes rolled a cross into the area and Hojlund looked certain to score until he was shoved in the back by Igor Zubeldia.

It was a clear penalty and the Sociedad captain was perhaps a little bit fortunate to escape with only a yellow card.

Despite the pressure, Fernandes confidently stroked home his 13th goal of the season beating Alex Remiro from the spot.

He wasn’t finished there though – turning provider with a pin-point corner which Patrick Dorgu volleyed onto the top of the net.

The Portuguese then played a sweeping pass into the path of the Danish new boy who probably had more time and space than he realised – firing straight at Remiro.

Another chance went begging as Joshua Zirkzee sent a low cross into the area that was backheeled by Hojlund but drifted just wide of the post.

The £72 million forward has not scored in his last 20 appearances before this but was contributing plenty to an improved United display.

United probably felt they should have been ahead at the break – but within five minutes of the restart, they were.

Artiz Elustondo body checked Dorgu as the January signing tried to get past him and it was enough for the French ref to point to the spot.

The Sociedad defender pleaded his innocence and to be fair it was hard to see how he could have got out of the way – but there was not enough evidence to overturn it.

And once again Fernandes was the coolest man in the stadium as he slotted home from 12 yards once more.

United were now on the front foot and the visitors made their task even more difficult when they went down to 10 men just after the hour.

Jon Aramburu had only been on the pitch seven minutes – sent on as the bench were worried Zubeldia could earn a second yellow card.

But he chopped down Dorgu as he looked to race clear on goal and was adjudged to be the last man – even though the Dane had a long way still to run.

Zirkzee nodded a good chance wide and there were still some nerves with United holding such a slender advantage.

But all those were blown away as Garnacho was unselfish for once – slipping a clever pass through to Fernandes who fired a low shot past Remiro.

There was still time for another in stoppage time as Hojlund pulled a cross back for Fernandes’ countryman Diogo Dalot to lash home.

That completed a great night for Amorim and his Portuguese men of four.

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I’m trapped by controlling husband I thought was knight in shining armour – now I want to escape with another man

DEAR DEIDRE: WHEN I first met my husband, I thought he was my knight in shining armour – now I just want to escape with another man.

I’m 29, my husband is 34, and we’ve been together for nine years.

My childhood wasn’t the happiest. My parents were controlling and spent most of their time berating me and putting me down.

As a result, I went off the rails, and they eventually kicked me out at 18, leaving me homeless and alone.

I bounced from sofa to sofa until I met my husband at a house party.

He was a few years older than me and I found safety in him. But thinking back, I definitely overlooked a lot of red flags.

Now, I realise I traded my controlling parents for a controlling partner. I can’t go anywhere any more without him giving me grief and starting an argument.

Every day is overshadowed with worry that the next incident will cause him to blow up.

I feel completely trapped in this marriage, so when I met a lovely, caring man at work, I couldn’t stop myself responding to his advances.

I hoped my colleague would be the answer to all my problems and, at first, he seemed really into me, but now he’s started to pull away.

While cheating was wrong, it felt like my only way out, and he gave me hope.

I know I need to stop trying to escape from my problems with men, but how?

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DEIDRE SAYS:  While it’s hurtful this man has pulled away from you, it has forced you to reflect and recognise a pattern.

The answer to your problems doesn’t lie in someone else’s hands, but in your own.

Don’t rush into another relationship, which will just complicate matters.

You will benefit from working on your low self-esteem but first it’s important to deal with your marriage.

It’s clear you’re unhappy with your husband and want to leave. If you’re certain he won’t change and staying with him will continue to make you miserable, it’s time you make the break.

My support pack, Ending A Relationship, will help you through.

If you’re worried about his reaction, contact Women’s Aid (womensaid.org.uk), who can help you leave safely.

Get in touch with Deidre

Every problem gets a personal reply, usually within 24 hours weekdays.

Send an email to [email protected]

You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page.

SO UPSET AFTER MY DOG DIED

DEAR DEIDRE: I’VE been beside myself since I had to put down our beloved family dog.

Every day I walk through the door expecting him to come running up to me, and when he doesn’t, it all comes crashing over me again.

I’m 40, and my wife and I adopted our dog nine years ago, not long after we moved in together.

He was with us for every big milestone, from getting engaged to having kids.

He became an integral part of our family, and now he’s gone. It’s left a huge hole in my life.

While the vet said we had no other choice, as his organs were failing, I feel so guilty that we had to say goodbye.

I can’t stop crying. I miss him so much.

DEIDRE SAYS: The death of a much-loved pet will take time to process.

Our animals are a part of our families so allow yourself the time and space to grieve properly.

Talking about your dog, especially to friends and relatives who have had a similar experience, can help. Some people even find that it helps to write down their thoughts and feelings.

While you can’t help feeling guilty, remember that you made the right choice for him, and nothing else could be done.

My support pack, Coping With Bereavement, will help.

LIFE RUINED BY NASTY NEIGHBOUR

DEAR DEIDRE: I’VE had a gutful of my disruptive and antisocial next-door neighbour.

Whether she’s playing music loudly, banging and making noises late at night or stealing my parcels, she’s intent on making my life a misery. She has a stream of unpleasant guests who peer into my windows as they pass.

I’m a 36-year-old woman, and I live alone in a flat. I was happy in my home until eight months ago when the neighbour moved in. She’s 54.

It’s been a complete nightmare. No matter how many times I’ve tried to speak to her nicely, she always ends up verbally attacking me.

All of my other neighbours are too afraid to say anything, but I’m at my wits’ end.

DEIDRE SAYS: Neighbourly disputes are very stressful, and it can be hard to know what to do.

Getting legal advice would be a sensible first move.

You can get free advice through citizensadvice.org.uk. I would also consider contacting your landlord or building manager about the problems that you’re experiencing.

Start taking a note of any incident so that you have a clear record to back up your experience.

And read my support pack Nuisance Neighbours, which should help.

STUCK BETWEEN FEUDING FAMILY

DEAR DEIDRE: SINCE my parents’ nasty divorce, I’ve felt stuck between them.

I love them both, but trying to keep the peace has been an uphill battle, and I’m tired of being in the middle.

I’m a 32-year-old man, and my parents separated four years ago after being married for more than 30 years. My mum is 60 and my dad is 63.

Their marriage used to be happy, but over the years, things turned sour. For the last decade, there was constant arguing, and it even got to the point where they moved into separate rooms.

When my dad finally decided they should get a divorce, my mum didn’t take it well.

Ever since, she’s been poisoning everyone against him and has successfully manipulated both my siblings into cutting all contact with him.

Now, I’m the only person that still talks to him, and mediating between everyone has become a draining and impossible task.

My dad just wants to be a part of his kids’ lives and is so torn up they want nothing to do with him.

Every time I try to talk to my mum and siblings about it, they gang up on me and guilt-trip me about still caring for him.

I’m so tired of all of it. How do I make peace?

DEIDRE SAYS: Navigating a division in a family can be incredibly difficult, especially when you are caught between two people you care about.

However, it’s not your responsibility to act as a go-between.

If your mum and siblings refuse to work through these problems, you may need to accept that peace may not be possible.

Instead, you need to set boundaries and tell your parents that, while you’ll be there for them, you can’t mediate for them any longer.

My support pack, When Parents Fall Out, should be useful to you.

And you can also find support through Family Action (family-action.org.uk, 0808 802 6666).

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