Igor Tudor Takes the Reigns at Tottenham
Croatian coach Igor Tudor has taken interim charge of Tottenham Hotspur after Thomas Frank was sacked earlier this week. Frank left the club in 16th place just five points above the relegation places, leaving Spurs with no choice but to sack their Danish manager. Tottenham were looking for a coach with a track record of producing an instant turnaround in form and Tudor does have previous experience of doing exactly that. Tudor, who got 55 caps for Croatia as a player, took charge of both Lazio and Juventus at similar stages of the last two seasons and was able to turn their fortunes around quickly. His latest stint as a head coach was at Juventus after finishing fourth at the end of last season he was given a two-year contract, however was sacked four months later. Tudor does have plenty of coaching experience, since 2013 he’s worked at clubs such as Galatasaray, Udinese and Marseille along with the aforementioned Lazio and Juventus. It’s a tough start to life at Spurs for the Croatian as his first game is the North London derby against Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on 22nd February. He also has a trip to Anfield to play Liverpool and the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie within his first five games in charge. Spurs will be hoping Tudor can produce what he has in Serie A over the past few years and pull them out of the position they’re in before they fall into serious contention of relegation. Read our article detailing Thomas Frank’s departure from Tottenham here: https://snnsports.co.uk/thomas-frank-sacked-as-tottenham-hotspur-manager/
Falkirk 2-3 Dundee Utd: Visitors battle to crucial three points after late winner
Falkirk 2-3 Dundee Utd Broggio (17′) Lissah (53′) Graham (25′) Sibbald (55′) Eskesen (83′) Dundee United came from behind twice to edge a five-goal thriller at the Falkirk Stadium, sneaking closer to a top six berth. Falkirk, fresh from their narrow home victory over Dundee, dominated possession in the first 10 minutes. But it was the visitors who created the earliest chances. Ross Graham headed over the game’s first effort, after Scott Bain tipped over the Scotsman’s back-post header from a whipped Kristijan Trapanovski free kick. Craig Sibbald flashed wide from the edge of the box from the resultant corner Avoiding defeat felt paramount for Jim Goodwin’s men, who have drifted from the top six pack. Liam Henderson cleared Ryan Strain’s dangerous low cross in the 15th minute as they continued to build into the game. Falkirk burst into life after 17 minutes. Ben Broggio’s first-time strike found the bottom left corner from the edge of the box after neat interplay. The Aston Villa loanee had enjoyed a positive start to his Scottish spell, registering his second goal in two starts for the Bairns. Just when the hosts looked set to seize control, United responded. Bain’s attempted punch fell kindly into the path of Graham, who had the simple task of rolling into an empty net in the 25th minute. The goalie would have been frustrated with his efforts, a gift for the visitors. Neilson’s header cannoned off the crossbar from behind after Miller’s inswinging free-kick shortly after, but as the halftime whistle blew, Goodwin would have been the happier manager. The hosts started positively in the second half and deservedly retook the lead. Leon McCann’s wicked left-footed cross to the back post was volleyed home by Filip Lissah in the 53rd minute. However, United would hit back instantly. Former Bairn Craig Sibbald stroked home a composed left-footed strike from the edge of the box to claw Goodwin’s men level. The sides’ previous encounter at the Falkirk Stadium served up a cracker, and today’s meeting delivered in a similar, frantic fashion. Lissah has become a standout for McGlynn’s side, and the Swansea loanee was a constant threat for the hosts. He marauded down the Falkirk right after dispossessing Zac Sapsford. A powerful strike from the edge of the box was brilliantly tipped over by Ashley Maynard-Brewer. Ryan Lee reduced Falkirk to ten men after Henderson hauled Max Watters to the floor. After consulting the VAR monitor, the defender’s yellow was upgraded to red, with Henderson the last man. Despite the disadvantage, the match remained even. Graham blazed over from close range after a Will Ferry corner in the 76th minute as United searched for the crucial third. United took the lead for the first time to break Falkirk hearts. Ferry flicked on Ryan Strain’s right-sided cross, which dropped kindly into the path of substitute Julius Eskesen. The Dane took one touch and smashed a right-footed strike across Bain, sending the away allocation behind the goal into frenzy. Falkirk battled till the final whistle to no avail as Goodwin’s men secured a priceless three points. They edge closer to the top six, ahead of a congested fixture schedule in the league, and Scottish Cup. Falkirk: Bain 4 Lissah 8 Neilson 6 Henderson 6 McCann 7 Spencer 6 Broggio 7 Tait 6 Miller 6 Marsh 7 Stewart 7 Substitutes: Wilson 6 Cartwright 6 Donaldson 6 Graham 3 Ross 3 Dundee United: Maynard-Brewer 6 Farrugia 6 Graham 7 Keresztes 7 Strain 6 Stephenson 5 Sibbald 6 Iovu 7 Sapsford 6 Trapanovski 7 Ferry 6 Substitutes: Watters 6 Sevelj 5 Eskesen 4 Dolcek 4
Hibernian 2-0 St Mirren: Clinical Hibs See Off Struggling St Mirren
Hibs bounce back from Derby defeat as they see off St Mirren 2-0 in the capital with goals by Edling and Suto ensured the Hibees left with all three points. The opening 10, both sides had small sights of goal but no real chance for either side. On 12 minutes, Cadden whipped a ball into the centre of the box and on loan Tottenham man, Dane Scarlett got his head onto it but was right at George which was a simple catch in the end. An early free kick a few minutes on from Cadden fell to new signing Elding but the young forward wasn’t aware until late on and failed to connect with the ball as George was there to collect. Chaiwa had a chance from the edge of the box which looked to be a simple save by George spilled the ball with the rebound not testing the St Mirren keeper as the ball was high and wide. Another Hibs chance once again, Scarlett striding towards the box, unleashing an effort from distance firing wide. Rocky in the box with a huge chance as he turned and miskicked the ball and any real chance fizzled out as the clash remains goalless. A short corner to Barlasser who whipped in the perfect cross which found Owen Elding who headed the ball which smashed past Shamal George as the Hibees took the lead late first half. Into the second half, Hibs had a massive chance to double the advantage as Nicky Cadden with a ball into the back post where Passlack vollyed the ball off the inside of the post to deny a second for the Edinburgh side. An error at the back by Hibs let substitute Mandron through on goal with his strike being denied brilliantly by Sallinger in goal to deny an equaliser. Great work by Cadden to glide past both Phillips and McMenamin where he put the box across goal then there was the substitute Suto there to tap it in to give Hibs the two goal advantage. Idowu with an ambitious run fron the centre area towards the box which he took on a strike from distanced but well blocked to stop any route back into the game. A better second half by the Paisley side but still unable to find a way back into the game and when Hibs had their chances, they took them well as the full-time whistle goes. Hibernian: Sallinger )6), O’Hora (7), Chaiwa (7), Iredale, McGrath (7), Cadden (7), Barlasser (8), Passlack (7), Bushiri (7), Scarlett (6), Elding (8). Substitutes: Boyle (6), Suto 97), Andrews (7), Campbell 96). St Mirren: George (5), King (6), Devaney (6), McMenenamin (5), Gogic (6), Nlundulu (6), Young (6), Freckleton (6), Fraser (6), John (6), Phillips (5). Substitutes: Mandron (6), Idowu (6), Calvin (6), O’Hara (6), Richardson (6).
