Today’s back pages: dizzy Spurs left on the ropes by Ajax’s total football
A round up of the sport headlines from UK newspapers on 1 May
Tottenham Hotspur were left battered and bruised after losing 1-0 at home against Ajax in the Uefa Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday night.
Donny van de Beek scored the winning goal for Ajax, who are now favourites to meet Barcelona or Liverpool in the final.
Many of today’s back pages focus on the head injury sustained by Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen. The Belgian suffered a clash of heads with team-mate Toby Alderweireld which left him with blood pouring from his nose.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Daily Star says Tottenham are “down ’n snout” while the Daily Express reports that the loss gave Spurs a “bloody nose”.
Spurs were “left dizzy”, reads the Daily Mail’s back page, after being given the runaround by the talented Dutch team. The Guardian also praises the spellbinding “total football” on display from Ajax.
‘Rafa must stay’
Meanwhile, in the north east of England The Chronicle has issued a front-page plea to Newcastle United by insisting that “Rafa must stay”.
Toon manager Rafael Benítez is edging towards the end of his contract and the newspaper has launched a petition for the Spaniard to stay.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 16, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - sleepyhead, little people, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published