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De Zerbi Must Build Tottenham Team Around Bentancur

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Tottenham Hotspur moved out of the Premier League relegation zone and boosted their chances of staving off relegation to the Championship as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park on Sunday.

Tottenham made the trip to the Midlands knowing that a win would take them out of the drop zone and above West Ham United, after the Irons were beaten 3-0 by Brentford on Saturday.

Spurs are now one point above their London neighbours going into the final three games, and they have put the pressure on Nottingham Forest ahead of their trip to Chelsea on Monday night.

Vitor Pereira’s men are now just three points above the bottom three with three games to go, with it looking like it could be a genuine possibility that more than 40 points could be needed to guarantee survival.

Tottenham’s next game is a huge one at home to Leeds United that could see them reach 40 points with two games to go, and they will be hoping for a rare favour from Arsenal, who face West Ham at the London Stadium prior to their kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday night.

Leeds are in 14th on 43 points and will feel that they are safe ahead of the trip to north London.

Gallagher ‘Amazing’ in Tottenham Win Against Villa

Tottenham midfielder Conor Gallagher warms up

Tottenham fans will have been unsure about whether Gallagher was the right signing for the club after his first few months in a white shirt, where he underwhelmed as the club’s long winless run of 2026 went on and on.

The £200,000-a-week midfielder began to see his starts limited under Igor Tudor, but he has looked a different player since Roberto De Zerbi took charge.

The Italian clearly likes the Englishman and has put his arm around him to try and engineer some better performances out of him, and it’s worked.

Not only was the 26-year-old everywhere and like a man possessed at Villa Park, but he also scored his first goal for the club to give them lead against Unai Emery’s side.

Post-match, De Zerbi called him ‘amazing’ and said when he is starting it is like having 12 players, which is quite the compliment.

De Zerbi Must Build Around Bentancur

Tottenham Hotspur's Rodrigo Bentancur celebrates
Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain – October 19, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Bentancur celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/David Klein

While Gallagher was pivotal to Tottenham’s win in the Midlands, it is his midfield partner Rodrigo Bentancur that De Zerbi must build his Spurs team around to lift them back up the Premier League table.

Tottenham’s winless run extended from December 28 until April 25 and of those 15 matches, Bentancur was only available for four of them.

Since his return from a hamstring injury, Spurs have taken seven points from a possible nine, and it was almost nine from nine before Georginio Rutter’s late equaliser for Brighton and Hove Albion.

Unsurprisingly, the Uruguay international, who cost an initial £16m in 2022, came off in the second half against Villa because of tiredness, after an insane display in the Midlands.

It was another tireless performance that showed he must be one of the first names on the team-sheet in the new De Zerbi era.

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Beer, Pimms, and Strawberries and Cream Prices Emerge

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A breakdown of prices has been revealed for classic food and drink items at Wimbledon this year, including the iconic punnet of strawberries and cream, and a glass of Pimms.

Strawberries and cream are the delicacy most synonymous with Wimbledon, and are believed to have been served at the tournament as early as the Victorian era, when they were only available in the country for a few weeks in summer.

The price of this seasonal snack has always remained affordable, but has risen this year by 15p to £2.85.

The classic treat was held at £2.50 for 14 years between 2010 and 2024, rising to £2.70 last year before another slight increase for 2026.

Wimbledon strawberries Toby Melville via Reuters

Another British classic strongly associated with Wimbledon is Pimms, a gin-based liquor usually topped with lemonade and filled with fruit and herbs such as strawberries, cucumber, oranges, lemon, and fresh mint.

The summer garden party staple was first served at Wimbledon in 1971 when the tournament opened its first Pimms dedicated bar, and every year well over 80,000 pints are drunk by spectators.

This year, one glass will reportedly set you back £13.45, up £1.20 from last year, meaning a combo of the two Wimbledon classics will cost £16.30.

Price jumps are happening across the beverage menu too, with a pint of Wimbledon’s lager sponsor, Stella, reported at £8.95, up 10p from last year.

Wimbledon Pimms Susan Mullane via Reuters

Champagne drinkers are not safe from inflation either, with a mini bottle of Lanson Le Rose rising by £1.50 to £31.35, while a full-sized bottle is priced at a whopping £102, up £1.10 from the previous year. However, the price of a refillable bottle of Evian water will remain unchanged at £5.

Wimbledon Spokesperson Explains Pricing


Emma Raducanu


How Much Emma Raducanu Will Earn From Wimbledon This Year Despite Withdrawing Through Injury

The Brit had to withdraw from the Grand Slam the night before it was set to get underway.

A spokesperson for the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) told The Sun: “Food and drink inflation continues to be a challenge nationwide, and we are not immune.

“However, we pride ourselves on creating a menu that utilises British, seasonal produce to keep costs to a minimum wherever possible, and offering a variety of food and drink to help ensure there is an option for every budget.”

Wimbledon tennis ball Andrew Couldridge via Reuters

To limit your spending, Wimbledon also allows spectators to bring their own drinks, with each person restricted to the equivalent of either one bottle of wine or Champagne (750ml), two cans of beer/lager (500ml each), or two cans of premixed aperitifs.

The tournament runs from the 29th of June, through to the 12th of July, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in SW19.

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Iran Release Emotional Statement After Their 2026 World Cup Exit

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Iran’s World Cup campaign has come to an end with a stinging statement aimed at the treatment they endured throughout their time at the tournament.

A 1-1 draw with Egypt on Saturday, in which a late Iran goal was controversially disallowed following a lengthy VAR review, wasn’t enough to send Iran through to the knockout stages, finishing in ninth place in the third-place table and missing out on goal difference.

It ends a World Cup campaign overshadowed by logistical issues and ongoing tensions stemming from Iran’s conflict with the United States, with the team forced to base themselves in Mexico rather than their original Arizona location.

After the switch of training bases, strict restrictions on how long they could stay in the US for led to the Iran Football Federation making a complaint to FIFA.

Iran’s Federation Hits Out in Farewell Statement

Iran's national team at the World Cup REUTERS/Matthew Childs

As the squad prepared to head home, the Iranian federation released a statement thanking the media for their coverage of the situation, while making clear their frustrations with how they’d been treated throughout the tournament. They said, per RTE:


Iran sing national anthem


What FIFA ‘Forced’ Iran to Do After World Cup Opener as Infantino Visits Dressing Room

Iran played their first game at the 2026 World Cup in the United States of America, but were given clear instructions after the whistle.

“Thank you for your professionalism, your support, and for covering not only our team’s sporting journey, but also the unfair and unsportsmanlike treatment our delegation experienced during our stay. Your commitment to reporting the facts accurately and with integrity meant a great deal to us.”

The federation also praised the people of Mexico, adding: “We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to the wonderful people of Mexico, especially the beautiful city of Tijuana and its kind and warm-hearted residents. You welcomed us with generosity and genuine hospitality that made us feel at home. For all of us, leaving Tijuana is truly difficult.

“The memories we created here, the friendships we built, and the affection we received will remain forever in the hearts of every member of the Iran National Football Team.

“We will always be grateful to the great and generous people of Mexico, as well as to the Government of Mexico, for their hospitality and respect.”

It’s not the first gesture of gratitude Iran has shown during their stay. After their group games in Los Angeles and Seattle, handwritten notes were left in their dressing rooms thanking each host city for its hospitality.

Mehdi Taremi Calls World Cup a “Disaster”

Iran's Mehdi Taremi

Iranian captain Mehdi Taremi had some scathing words for FIFA and the Trump Administration after the Egypt game, branding the experience a “disaster” and revealing logistical staff had been unable to secure visas throughout the tournament. “We don’t have our logistic people here – they don’t have a visa. How is it possible we always have to travel from Tijuana?


Iran


Iran’s Taremi Makes Stunning Claims About FIFA and USA After World Cup Draw v Egypt

While Iran has remained respectful throughout the tournament, their captain couldn’t bottle up his real feelings for much longer.

“It’s not fair. Our opinion is, it’s not fair. Is it fair for FIFA? OK, good to them. But it’s not fair. Who wants to help us?

Much like the notes that were left, Taremi was keen to praise the hospitality shown by their hosts in Mexico, insisting the issues lay solely with the tournament’s organisation rather than the people who welcomed them throughout their stay.

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Liverpool Now Planning Talks With ‘One of World’s Best Wingers’

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Liverpool have been dealt a major blow in their attempt to replace Mohamed Salah this summer, but may now have found a solution to the setback.

The Reds were hoping to make 19-year-old RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande their statement signing this summer. However, it now looks as though the winger’s preference would be to join Paris Saint-Germain instead.

Liverpool had shown a willingness of proposing a €100million package for the teenager, but Leipzig were hoping for €130million if they can’t lure Diomande to a new deal.

Paris is believed to be the Ivorian’s preferred destination if he is to leave Leipzig this summer and GIVEMESPORT understands that Liverpool have now accepted that they will have to seek alternatives, which they may have already found.


Andoni Iraola


£112m Star ‘Excited’ as Liverpool Move to Sign Him, He’s Better Than Diomande

Liverpool are making some ambitious moves for Andoni Iraola in the summer transfer window

Liverpool plan talks with Barcola

Bradley Barcola France Action Images

According to journalist Matteo Moretto, Liverpool are “planning new contacts” with PSG winger Bradley Barcola.

Moretto said before last season concluded that the Reds had a three-man shortlist to replace Salah, including Barcola and Diomande, while Bayern Munich star Michael Olise was deemed “almost an impossible dream”.

Barcola would likely cost less than the proposed figure Leipzig are demanding for Diomande while, in an interesting twist, his gametime in Paris could be reduced as a result of the potential arrival of the Ivorian.

The 23-year-old joined PSG from Lyon almost three years ago and has gone from strength to strength in the French capital.

Last season saw the winger make 49 appearances across all competitions as PSG lifted the Champions League for a second consecutive season, netting 13 goals and registering seven assists. He has also gotten his World Cup off to a positive start, scoring and assisting once for France.

England World Cup Quiz

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Barcola is a suitable Diomande alternative

Bradley Barcola France Action Images

Although Diomande registered better numbers in front of goal last season with 23 goal contributions in 36 appearances, and is four years Barcola’s junior, the Frenchman is still one of Europe’s most exciting wingers.

Described as “one of the world’s best wingers”, the 23-year-old is arguably underappreciated in Paris considering the wealth of attacking talent they have with the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Boasting blistering pace and skill, Barcola could prove to be an extremely useful addition for new boss Andoni Iraola. At 23, the Frenchman still boasts plenty of potential but has already lifted an array of silverware with PSG and is expected to go far in the World Cup with France. His versatility also means he can fit on either flank.

The winger has two years left on his contract at the Parc des Princes and isn’t expected to cost as much as Diomande, especially if the Ivorian’s destination is Paris.

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