Spurs Draw with Leeds for Priceless Point in Premier League Survival Fight

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 11, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Mathys Tel celebrates scoring their first goal with Destiny Udogie. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 11, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Mathys Tel celebrates scoring their first goal with Destiny Udogie. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Spurs Draw with Leeds for Priceless Point in Premier League Survival Fight

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 11, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Mathys Tel celebrates scoring their first goal with Destiny Udogie. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 11, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Mathys Tel celebrates scoring their first goal with Destiny Udogie. (Action Images via Reuters)

Tottenham Hotspur took a small and potentially crucial step toward retaining its Premier League status after drawing at home with Leeds United 1-1 on Monday.

Spurs, just above the drop zone, moved two points clear of relegation rival West Ham.

Tottenham went ahead in the 50th minute on Mathys Tels' strike.

However, Tels’ foul on Ethan Ampadu with 15 minutes left led to a Leeds penalty that was converted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Spurs takes on Chelsea away and Everton at home in their last two games, while West Ham is away at Newcastle before facing Leeds at home on the final day of the season.

One of the two teams will join the already relegated Burnley and Wolves in next season’s Championship.

Spurs went into the game on a high after two consecutive victories, but though they dominated the first half in terms of possession and shots on goal, they didn’t break the deadlock until five minutes into the second half.

Pedro Porro’s corner kick was cleared to an unmarked Tels, who coolly struck into the far corner of the net from 20 meters out. It was the center forward’s first goal since Jan. 7.

Tels turned villain 24 minutes later when his high foot was adjudged to have made contact with Ethan Ampadu’s head.

The referee pointed to the spot and Calvert-Lewin, who was denied a first-half penalty after a video review, confidently dispatched the spot kick.

In an edgy last few moments and a remarkable 15 minutes of added time there were no more goals. Spurs will content themselves that their destiny remains in their hands.

"We played a good game but there was big pressure," Tottenham coach Roberto De Zerbi said. "We didn’t play calmly. We wanted to win immediately without passes. When you are fighting for relegation you can’t play every game calmly.

"Leeds played a good game and we hope they play like that against West Ham in the next game."

Spurs have taken eight out of a possible 12 points since De Zerbi’s debut defeat at Sunderland on April 12.

"We deserve to stay up," he said. "We will fight until the end... Even if we had won today, it wouldn’t have been finished yet."

Hull secures playoff spot

Hull will play Southampton or Middlesbrough in the Championship playoff final after second half goals from Mo Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt gave it a 2-0 win over Millwall in London.

Belloumi’s 64th-minute strike with his left foot broke the deadlock in the second game of the two-leg affair and Gelhardt made sure with a low shot that squirmed past the Millwall goalkeeper.

The win means Hull have one match to secure a place in the Premier League for the first time since it was relegated in 2017.

Southampton and Middlesbrough drew the first leg 0-0 on Saturday and will play their return tie on Tuesday.

The playoff final is set for Wembley on May 23.



Veteran Goalkeeper Ochoa Joins Mexico Camp with Sixth World Cup in Sight

Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa celebrates their 1-0 victory at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Germany and Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 17, 2018. (AFP via Getty Images)
Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa celebrates their 1-0 victory at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Germany and Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 17, 2018. (AFP via Getty Images)
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Veteran Goalkeeper Ochoa Joins Mexico Camp with Sixth World Cup in Sight

Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa celebrates their 1-0 victory at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Germany and Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 17, 2018. (AFP via Getty Images)
Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa celebrates their 1-0 victory at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Germany and Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 17, 2018. (AFP via Getty Images)

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo ‌Ochoa said on Monday he had joined his final training camp with the national team as the veteran closes in on a likely sixth World Cup appearance next month.

The 40-year-old is widely expected to be included in coach Javier Aguirre's squad for the World Cup, which Mexico will co-host alongside the United States and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

"Putting this shirt on again was never routine ... it was a privilege," Ochoa wrote on social ‌media. "Today begins my ‌last training camp. But this time I ‌see ⁠it differently. With ⁠a fuller heart, more scars, more memories, and the same excitement as the child who once dreamed of defending this badge."

Ochoa is set to become one of the few players to appear at six World Cups, alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, having previously represented Mexico at Germany ⁠2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia ‌2018 and Qatar 2022.

The ‌stopper has also suggested the tournament could mark the end of ‌his career, telling Mexican broadcaster TUDN last month that ‌it "could be the end for me after the World Cup" as he prepares for what is expected to be his final season in professional football.

"I've experienced unforgettable nights, endless matches, anthems that ‌still give me goosebumps, and moments that changed my life forever," Ochoa wrote.

"And still, ⁠every time ⁠Mexico calls, something inside me begins again."

Ochoa, who currently plays for AEL Limassol in Cyprus, has earned more than 150 caps for Mexico and remains one of the country's most recognizable players after standout World Cup performances, including a series of saves against Brazil in 2014 and a penalty stop against Poland’s Robert Lewandowski in 2022.

Mexico will complete their World Cup preparations with friendlies against Ghana on May 22, Australia on May 30 and Serbia on June 4, before opening the tournament against South Africa in Group A on June 11.


After Backlash, Mexico Cancels Plan to Cut School Year for World Cup

 People walk past a sign that counts down the time until the tournament kicks off, ahead of the World Cup starting on June 11, in Mexico City, Mexico, May 11, 2026. (Reuters)
People walk past a sign that counts down the time until the tournament kicks off, ahead of the World Cup starting on June 11, in Mexico City, Mexico, May 11, 2026. (Reuters)
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After Backlash, Mexico Cancels Plan to Cut School Year for World Cup

 People walk past a sign that counts down the time until the tournament kicks off, ahead of the World Cup starting on June 11, in Mexico City, Mexico, May 11, 2026. (Reuters)
People walk past a sign that counts down the time until the tournament kicks off, ahead of the World Cup starting on June 11, in Mexico City, Mexico, May 11, 2026. (Reuters)

Mexico canceled plans to shorten its school year ahead of the World Cup after widespread backlash from parents, think tanks and local authorities, the government said Monday.

On Friday, Education Secretary Mario Delgado unexpectedly announced the school year would end about 40 days early, on June 5, arguing the decision was also based on a heat wave.

Education and other government officials met Monday to gather input from parents and consider options at a meeting announced by President Claudia Sheinbaum, who expressed skepticism of the proposed shortening.

At the meeting it was agreed to keep the school calendar as originally planned and have it end July 15, with classes resuming August 31, the Education Department said.

The World Cup tournament -- hosted jointly by Mexico, the United States and Canada -- kicks off on June 11 when Mexico takes on South Africa at home in Mexico City.

"The idea is to keep the vacation period to six weeks, as it has always been, and perhaps some students will start early, while others will continue with the previous schedule," Sheinbaum said earlier.

"The goal is for it to be a consensus decision," she said. "Now we need to listen."

Two states rejected the plan before it was ultimately canceled.

Parents also questioned the measure, which, according to the think tank Mexico Evalua, would cause students to fall behind in their studies.

"The decision... will reduce effective learning time even more for 23.4 million students," Mexico Evalua wrote in a report.

Sheinbaum also guaranteed "conditions of security" necessary for the games as well as the completion of public works projects started before the tournament, particularly additions to the Azteca stadium and the Mexico City International Airport.


Man City Boss Guardiola Backs Marmoush to Play Big Role in Run-in

Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Brentford - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 9, 2026 Manchester City's Omar Marmoush celebrates scoring their third goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Brentford - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 9, 2026 Manchester City's Omar Marmoush celebrates scoring their third goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Man City Boss Guardiola Backs Marmoush to Play Big Role in Run-in

Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Brentford - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 9, 2026 Manchester City's Omar Marmoush celebrates scoring their third goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Brentford - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 9, 2026 Manchester City's Omar Marmoush celebrates scoring their third goal. (Action Images via Reuters)

Pep Guardiola expects Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush to have a key role in the closing stages of the English season.

City have four games left this campaign, including the FA Cup final, in a busy 12-day spell that could yet see them finish with a domestic treble following their League Cup success.

Such is City's squad strength, Egypt forward Marmoush has made just seven Premier League starts this season, but he proved his worth with a goal off the bench in Saturday's 3-0 defeat of Brentford.

City manager Guardiola now hopes Marmoush and other fringe players can step up when called upon as his side, who have a game in hand, look to overhaul a five-point gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal with three matches to play.

"We've talked many times," said Guardiola. "I know it's not easy for them, but I'm pretty sure in the next games they're going to play.

"I want to rotate the team because otherwise we cannot arrive in the final or Bournemouth a little bit (fresh).

"Especially Omar. It's not easy because normally you just want one striker. He's a proper striker but Erling (Haaland) is there.

"Erling is so important for us but the contribution of Omar -- the amount of goals for the minutes played -- is so high."

The prolific form of Haaland has been largely responsible for Marmoush's prolonged spell on the sidelines, with the Norway international Haaland scoring his 50th goal of the season for club and country at the weekend.

"It's incredible, and there was a period when he was so tired in November when he came back from Norway qualification," said Guardiola.

"It was a struggle."