Swansea City have held Tottenham Hotspur to a goalless draw at their temporary home of Wembley Stadium, a ground where they have now surrendered seven points in 2017-18.
Spurs came closest in the first half with 11 minute on the clock when Harry Kane drew a save from Lukasz Fabianski with a well-struck free kick.
Tottenham, who dominated possession but were not clinical enough in front of goal, almost broke the deadlock just before the hour mark when Kane hit the bar, but Swansea held out for a surprise point.
Find out how the action unfolded with our minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City, a match which is taking place at the former's temporary home of Wembley Stadium. First up, team news...
SPURS XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Dier, Sissoko, Eriksen; Son, Dele, Kane
SWANSEA XI: Fabianski; Naughton, van der Hoorn, Fernandez, Mawson; Olsson, Clucas, Sanches, Carroll; Ayew, Abraham
Starting with the hosts Tottenham, and the big news for them is a start for South Korean international Son Heung-min, who is rewarded for his goalscoring exploits against Borussia Dortmund in midweek. He will link up with Dele Alli in the final third and provide support for Harry Kane. That Swansea defence could be in for a carpet bombing as the hosts have set out an attacking stall.
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Alli will be the creative force behind this Tottenham side. The England international is back in the fold this afternoon after missing that impressive victory over Dortmund through suspension. It looks like three at the back for the hosts, with Jan Vertonghen starting on the left.
Swansea have made just one change from the side which lost 1-0 to Newcastle United last time out, with Mike van der Hoorn coming in for Leroy Fer. That's a defensive change by Paul Clement, who has swapped out a midfielder for a defender to pack out his back line.
This is certain to be a tough one for the Swans. They have a terrible record against today's opponents having never beaten them in the Premier League. It's played 12, lost 10, draw two. Swansea's last victory over Tottenham came all the way back in October 1982 when they beat them 2-0 at the Vetch Field.
The only variable that might swing things in their favour is Tottenham's record at Wembley Stadium. They tend to concede goals on this turf, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 matches. That said, it's very much a case of 'you score three, we'll score four' because they're on the verge of a new club record of netting in 30 consecutive home games.
Speaking of records tumbling, this man Christian Eriksen will overtake Nicklas Bendtner as the highest-scoring Dane in Premier League history if he is on target today.
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Spurs have made a slower start to the current campaign than many were expecting and haven't won at their temporary home on the domestic front so far, but a 3-0 victory away to Everton last time out will have them brimming with confidence. With only one defeat so far, they can go as high as second if they win today.
A surprise win for the Swans would see them join Tottenham on seven points. Their only triumph so far came over winless Crystal Palace in August, although they did dismantle MK Dons in the League Cup. I expect they will attempt to park the bus tonight, hence the extra man at the back.
Here's what the two managers had to say ahead of this one...
POCHETTINO: "I think we are far away in the way we want to play and the performance. I am so happy because it is so early in the season and the performance is okay, but I think we need to improve and show more quality. We are working very hard to try to first build our philosophy and the way we want to play. Then to win, because the objective always is to try to win games and win titles. That is our ambition."
CLEMENT: "I think it's an exciting game for us. We're going to England's national stadium to play in front of a massive crowd against one of the best teams in the country. We have gone away from home recently against some very good sides, played well and picked up some valuable points. There's no reason why we can't do that again on Saturday." (via BBC Sport)
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PREDICTION: Spurs dispelled the notion that they are there for the taking at Wembley by defeating Dortmund here convincingly, and I think their first league home win will come tonight. A 3-0 victory for the hosts sounds about right, with Harry Kane in amongst the goals after rediscovering his touch in the final third.
Here are the results from today's earlier Premier League fixtures:
Crystal Palace 0-1 Southampton
Huddersfield 1-1 Leicester
Liverpool 1-1 Burnley
Newcastle 2-1 Stoke
Watford 0-6 Man City
West Brom 0-0 West Ham
The result that jumps out there is, of course, Manchester City's resounding 6-0 win away to Watford. That result put them clear at the top of the league, but Spurs can move within three points of them if they overcome the Swans here.
Just five minutes to go until kick off now and Wembley has filled up nicely. Stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates from the match...
A lot of Spurs fans on social media were calling for Serge Aurier to start this evening. He is included among the subs alongside Vorm, Davies, Foyth, Dembele, Winks and Llorente. On the Swans' bench is Nordfeldt, Rangel, Roque Mesa, Fer, Routledge, Narsingh and Bony.
KICK OFF! Swansea get the match underway, kicking from right to left in the first half and wearing an all-red strip tonight.
The Swans venture deep into the Tottenham half but their attack breaks down when Alfie Mawson puts the ball out for a throw. Moments later, a long ball towards the Spurs box goes straight into the arms of Hugo Lloris.
SHOT! Tottenham's first shot at goal isn't much to write home about. It comes after good work down the flank by Son Heung-Min. His cross is poorly cleared by Federico Fernandez, allowing Dele Alli to strike one on the volley, but his effort is well off target.
CHANCE! Swansea's first chance of the evening comes after Lloris makes an absolute hash of a clearance! The French goalkeeper hoists the ball straight into the path of Ayew around 25 yards from goal. He shoots first time, but puts his effort wide.
More pressure from Tottenham as Eriksen seeks to release Son along the left flank, but the Dane puts too much on his delivery and it goes out for a goalkick. Moments later, Spurs win a free kick in a good position after Clucas brings down Alli just outside the box.
CHANCES! Harry Kane tests Fabianski from the resulting free kick, getting plenty of power behind his shot and clearing the wall. The Polish keeper gets down well to tip the ball behind. Moments later, Son makes another pacey run down the left channel to collect a pass from Sissoko. The Korean lets fly, but Fabianski saves at his near post, putting the ball behind for a corner.
Both sides have applied some pressure in the final third. First, a poor clearance find its way to Sissoko on the edge of the box, who shoots first time but puts it over. Moments later at the other end, a poor backpass by Sanchez puts Lloris under pressure with Abraham bearing down on goal. The Frenchman races off his line and beats the striker to the punch.
Son has been excellent for Spurs so far, keeping the Swans under constant pressure along the left channel. He's just combined well with Alli, collecting a pass from the England international and floating a cross into the box towards Kane, but it's just too high for the striker.
Half-chance for Tottenham following good build-up play involving Alli, Kane and Son. The South Korean eventually finds space on the edge of the box, but puts his shot over. The hosts have lacked quality in front of goal so far, but they're building pressure over time.
OVER! Vertonghen charges forward along the left flank. He reaches the edge of the box but is brought down by Naughton, winning a free kick. Eric Dier steps up to take it and curls one over the wall, and over the bar into the stands behind the goal.
WELL DEFENDED! Spurs may be edging possession, but their defence has been on the ball when called upon. On this occasion, it's Sissoko who make the crucial interception, sliding in to soak up Carroll's first-time strike after Abraham had stolen a yard on Sanchez. The Swans have asked a question or two of their opponents tonight.
Spurs continue to prod in the final third without creating any real chances. First, Kane's ball to Trippier out wide allows the full-back to swing a cross into the box, which Fabianski claims. Moments later, a lofted pass from Eriksen looks to pick out Son, but a strong header from Fernandez snuffs out the danger.
An error from Son in his own half gives Naughton the chance to play a cross into the box, but he fluffs his lines. At the other end, a combination of Sanches and Naughton takes out Alli in a dangerous position, but the free kick is headed clear by Fernandez, who has been excellent so far tonight.
Abraham draws a foul from Alderweireld to win a free kick for the Swans in a good position, only for it to go begging. Moments later, a well-timed challenge from Sanches is all that prevents Alli from going clean through on goal. It's all going to plan for Paul Clement's side, who have frustrated their opponents and asked a few questions of them at the back.
More pressure at the Swansea end of Wembley Stadium! Son surges along the right flank and plays a low cross into the six-yard box where Kane is lurking. Fernandez gets in ahead of the England striker, but his interception almost ends up in his own net! It goes behind and Spurs have a shot at goal from the resulting corner, with the ball falling kindly for Trippier, who fires wide.
There's more Son action on the flank as the South Korean drills a cross into the box. He gets plenty of power behind his delivery but Fabianski manages to smother it. Meanwhile, Carroll's free kick causes Spurs a few problems in their penalty area as Fernandez puts pressure on Lloris as they compete for the cross.
There's a great chance for Swansea as Carroll finds space down the right and whips a cross into the box. Van der Hoorn gets up and gets his head to it, only to nod it over from close range. That's as close as the visitors have come to a goal tonight. There will be one minute of stoppage time to play.
HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Swansea City
It's goalless at Wembley Stadium at half time, and Swansea City will be the happier of the two teams with that scoreline. And why shouldn't they be content? They've frustrated Spurs by soaking up the pressure and asked a question or two of their defence.
Tottenham claimed 66% of the possession in the first period, but it didn't feel like it. They need to do more with the ball in the second period. Son has been effective for them on the left channel, though their tempo has been surprisingly slow this evening. This is something for them to improve in the second half. They need to hit the Swans with some pacey breaks.
For Swansea, the gameplan will be more of the same. They've kept Spurs at bay, with Fernandez proving particularly effective at the back. If they keep on soaking up this pressure, who knows, they might even nick one at the other end.
Both sides have attacking options among the substitutes, and expensive ones at that. Llorente could feature against his former club in the second half, while Swansea could call upon Bony if they want to press their opponents more.
KICK OFF! We're back underway at Wembley Stadium. No changes for either side at the break, but Spurs have changed their shape, deploying Trippier and Sissoko as wing-backs in a bid to inspire more free-flowing attacks, no doubt.
That final ball has been lacking all evening where Spurs are concerned. Son surges into the box, but hesitancy from the Korean allows the Swansea defence to regroup and clear the danger. A minute later, Alli has the chance to float a cross into the area towards Son, but he balloons his delivery and concedes a goalkick.
Eriksen shoots from distance, but his effort is straight at Fabianski and fails to trouble the Pole. Shortly after play restarts, Tottenham stage another attack through Alderweireld, who breaks into the box and goes down under the challenge of Olsson. The Spurs man wants a penalty, but referee Mike Dean isn't interested.
Sissoko charges down the right flank and plays a long ball across the Swansea area. He plays it far too deep, so deep that Trippier cannot prevent it from going out for a throw. Swansea attempt to stage a counter directly from the throw, but Abraham's final ball fails to pick out Ayew and Spurs regroup.
There's a big penalty shout for Spurs as Trippier's cross from out wide takes a deflection on its way into the area before connecting with Olsson's hand. I think the deflection threw the referee off, because that looked like a penalty to me!
OFF THE BAR! Spurs up the ante and are getting closer. Sissoko does well in the final third, getting around his marker and playing a pass along the ground to Harry Kane. The striker hits it cleanly and musters plenty of power, but his effort cannons back into play off the crossbar!
SUBSTITUTION: Swansea make a change, throwing on Fer for Sanches.
Son is covering so much ground in the final third tonight. He's just caused the Swans a few problems over on the right, cutting back to switch to his favoured left foot and have a pop at goal, only to sky his effort. Meanwhile, Van der Hoorn has been booked for tripping Alli and Spurs have made their first change, bringing on Aurier for Sissoko.
CHANCES! Son looks destined to remain off the scoresheet tonight! Fabianski has just pulled off a pair of decent saves to deny the Korean, the first coming when the Spurs man took Alli's lofted pass on the volley, and the second from the resulting corner. Son collected the ball outside the box, made his way to the byline and shot from an acute angle, only to be thwarted by the Pole again.
Spurs keep up the pressure through Vertonghen, who collects the ball in the danger zone and curls a cheeky shot wide. Meanwhile, Swansea are preparing to bring on Bony, a likely replacement for Abraham up front. Maybe Paul Clement thinks he can nick all three points here?
SUBSTITUTION: Confirmation of that change. Bony has indeed come on to replace Abraham, giving the Swans a fresh pair of legs in the attack. Spurs may have to be more mindful when committing men forward now.
SUBSTITUTION: Spurs have responded with a change of their own, bringing on Llorente in place of Son. This cannot be a reflection of the South Korean's performance as he's been the hosts' most dangerous player tonight, if somewhat wasteful. Llorente is facing his former club here. Will he be writing a few backpage headlines?
CHANCE! There's a good chance for Swansea after Aurier brings down Ayew for a free kick. Carroll's cross is only cleared as far as Clucas, who unleashes a volley. He hits it crisply, but can only find the stand behind the goal. Nobody can say Swansea have given a poor account of themselves tonight.
CHANCE! A lovely through-pass from Vertonghen slices the Swans defence in half like a knife. It lands at the feet of Harry Kane, who turns and shoots, his effort whizzing just wide of the near post with Fabianski reaching for it at full stretch.
SUBSTITUTION: Mike van der Hoorn is replaced by Wayne Routledge as Swansea throw on defensive reinforcements in a bid to see this one out. Meanwhile, there's more fruitless Spurs pressure as Vertonghen blazes a shot over the bar.
BOOKINGS! It's a yellow card apiece. First Carroll is carded for timewasting, then Vertonghen joins him in the book for dissent after the referee denies Spurs a penalty. It was Aurier who went down in the box under the challenge of Ayew. Replays show there was indeed contact there, and Mike Dean made the wrong call!
There will be four minutes of stoppage time to play.
FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Swansea City
Spurs' Wembley woes continue and there are a few boos at the full-time whistle as the referee calls time on this goalless draw. Swansea, however, will be delighted with the result, having soaked up everything Tottenham threw at them and caused them a few problems at the back.
Mauricio Pochettino's side have now dropped seven points at home this term, more than they surrendered throughout the whole of last season.
That's all we have time for here, but be sure to stick with Sports Mole for our ongoing coverage of the weekend's biggest matches. Our match report from this game can be found here. Many thanks for reading!
Written by
Mark Langshaw
Mark Langshaw
