BBC

It could be one of the biggest 'what if' transfers.

Instead of scoring the goals to lift Nottingham Forest closer to safety, Morgan Gibbs-White could have been Tottenham's saviour.

Spurs thought they had their man last July but the transfer saga - during which Forest threatened legal action - could still have ramifications 10 months later.

The England international's first hat-trick in Sunday's 4-1 win over Burnley lifted Forest five points above the Premier League relegation zone with five games left and pushed Tottenham closer to the drop.

Gibbs-White also scored Forest's winner in Thursday's 1-0 Europa League quarter-final second-leg victory over Porto, which sent them through 2-1 on aggregate and set up a semi-final with Aston Villa.

It has left him on 15 goals in all competitions for Forest this season as the 26-year-old proves the difference as Vitor Pereira's side look for survival ahead of Spurs.

When Forest strolled out of north London with a 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 28 days ago it felt seismic.

They were only three points above the relegation zone, but the magnitude of the win could not be understated.

It was Pereira's first win as Forest manager and the nature of the victory felt huge, with Gibbs-White scoring a game-clinching second.

Fast forward a month and Gibbs-White's hat-trick piles more misery on Spurs and gives them another reminder of what could have been.

A move to Tottenham appeared done in July when it appeared his £60m release clause had been triggered.

Yet Forest looked to take legal action and were furious with Tottenham's conduct and were adamant they had not been given permission to speak to their player.

Gibbs-White went on to sign a new three-year contract a few weeks later and the saga was perhaps a prelude to the two club's chaotic seasons, with Forest going through four managers and Spurs close to their first relegation since 1977.

"A massive three points. We knew how important this game was coming into it. The first half was a bit nervous, tense," Gibbs-White told BBC Match of the Day.

"The words from the gaffer was to give it everything out there - whatever will be will be. They boys came out fighting, took our chances when we needed to and controlled the game.

"The first, I was a bit erratic. I knew for the second one to take a touch and be a bit more composed. When the third went in, it was a delight.

"We got the win and we have that gap."

Instead of potentially spearheading Spurs' survival bid, Gibbs-White has delivered another hammer blow.

Spurs, in 18th, will be four points from safety if West Ham beat Crystal Palace on Monday.

Ex-Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy told Match of the Day: "It is strange how football works.

"One of the things Spurs fans have been vocal about is the club not being able to get good players signed and over the line.

"Whether that could be through the inability to negotiate properly, whether it's financial, who knows?

"But, ultimately, a player like Gibbs-White would have been brilliant for Tottenham this season and would have hit the ground running - unlike Xavi Simons, who is a good player but has taken time to adapt.

"Today is a double kick in the stomach for Spurs as he could have been the man to save them from trouble. Instead, he's given Forest a huge boost to beat the drop."

Forest had problems at home in the league, having won only two of their previous 11 top-flight outings at the City Ground.

In that time they had scored nine goals, but six of them came in wins against Leeds and Tottenham.

They were without a win at home in the league since 14 December, when they beat Spurs 3-0, and needed someone to step up. Cue Gibbs-White.

"When I was watching the first half we were talking together. Morgan was not in his best condition," said Pereira.

"In the first half the team didn't find him in the right timings, spaces and didn't find him in the way we wanted.

"I asked them [at half-time], 'let's go to prove our quality and spirit'.

"He went in his pocket. He has a lot of talent in his pocket, a lot of team spirit and character, and he leads the team. I have leaders inside the team. They proved together we never give up."

Gibbs-White's treble - the first time he has scored more than once in a game since 2022 - made him the joint highest English scorer in the Premier League this season, on 12 with Brighton's Danny Welbeck.

It was also a reminder to England manager Thomas Tuchel before the World Cup after Gibbs-White was left out of the 35-man squad last month for games with Japan and Uruguay.

Pereira said: "He deserves it because he has the quality of a leader.

"When things are not happening in the way we want, when the team is struggling, I know a lot of players in this moment they prefer to hide themselves.

"This is not for Morgan. He wants the ball, wants the responsibility and wants to score goals and assist.

"He is a fantastic player for us, not only technically and tactically but about character."

Tottenham Hotspur have condemed the "vile, dehumanising racism" aimed at defender Kevin Danso on social media following their 2-2 draw against Brighton on Saturday.

An error from Danso allowed Brighton's Georginio Rutter to equalise in stoppage time, keeping Spurs in the Premier League relegation zone.

In a statement, the club said they have reported the "significant and abhorrent" abuse faced by 27-year-old Danso to the police and authorities.

"We will push for the strongest possible action against each and every person we identify," said Spurs.

"Kevin has our complete and unconditional support as a player and as a person. No-one at this club will ever stand alone in the face of this.

"Nothing about form or league position can ever excuse or explain racist abuse. There is no connection between performance on the pitch and the right to target a player with discrimination.

"We have heard and seen vile, dehumanising racism. Behaviour that is without doubt a criminal offence. It will not be tolerated."

The abuse took place during the Premier League's No Room For Racism campaign this weekend, which is aimed at promoting diversity and tackling discrimination in football.

In an Instagram post, external, Austria centre-back Danso said the abuse "doesn't define me" and "won't distract me from what is important".

"I know who I am, what I stand for, and why I play," he added.

"Discriminatory abuse has absolutely no place in football or wider society," the Premier League said in a statement.

"Anybody who chooses to abuse others is not welcome in our game and they are not a true fan. It is clear that more needs to be done to address this issue and we will work alongside clubs, football bodies, law enforcement and social media companies to ensure this remains a priority for all.

"Any individuals identified and found guilty of discrimination will face the strongest possible consequences, including club bans and legal prosecution."

From ecstasy to agony in under 20 minutes.

The emotional rollercoaster experienced by Tottenham Hotspur fans in the closing stages of Saturday's draw with Brighton likely hinted at what is yet to come.

Xavi Simons had led his team-mates in joyous celebration, the Spurs supporters joining in a collective release of pent-up emotion, after the 22-year-old's wonderful strike put Roberto de Zerbi's side on course for a first Premier League win since 28 December.

But those scenes proved premature when, in the fifth minute of eight added for stoppage time, Brighton's Georginio Rutter delivered a devastating sucker-punch.

It left Spurs still one point adrift of safety with just five games remaining - a situation which could worsen with relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham yet to play - increasing their fears of a first top-flight relegation since 1977.

Spurs' winless run in the league now stands at 15 matches, just one short of the club's worst-ever winless league run set 91 years ago.

Match of the Day pundit Ashley Williams praises Pedro Porro's attacking play but thinks he needs to do more defensively with his team in a relegation battle.

MATCH REPORT: Tottenham 2-2 Brighton

Match of the Day pundits Ashely Williams and Joe Hart look at the remaining fixtures the four teams in the Premier League relegation battle have before the end of the season.

MATCH REPORT: Tottenham 2-2 Brighton

From ecstasy to agony in under 20 minutes.

The emotional rollercoaster experienced by Tottenham Hotspur fans in the closing stages of Saturday's draw with Brighton likely hinted at what is yet to come.

Xavi Simons had led his team-mates in joyous celebration, the Spurs supporters joining in a collective release of pent-up emotion, after the 22-year-old's wonderful strike put Roberto de Zerbi's side on course for a first Premier League win since 28 December.

But those scenes proved premature when, in the fifth minute of eight added for stoppage time, Brighton's Georginio Rutter delivered a devastating sucker-punch.

It left Spurs still one point adrift of safety with just five games remaining - a situation which could worsen with relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham yet to play - increasing their fears of a first top-flight relegation since 1977.

"It's like a defeat because we conceded a goal in extra time, but we played a great game," Tottenham head coach De Zerbi told BBC Sport.

"It's tough to accept. We have to be stronger than this moment we are going through. We have to move on and prepare for the next game."

Former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand told Sky Sports: "If that was the 90th minute I could understand it, but there was a lot of football still to be played.

"The reaction should be to keep it tight, instead they jumped into the crowd."

But ex-Premier League defender Ashley Williams told BBC Sport he had "no issue" with Spurs' celebrations.

"The goal was so important at that point in time. I know there were still minutes to be played, but with the reaction and the emotion you could see what it meant to the players," Williams said.

Despite the overwhelming sense of disappointment at full-time, De Zerbi has seen enough to believe his players can escape their perilous situation.

"This team is able to win five games in a row," the Italian told the media.

On the surface, that faith would appear entirely unfounded.

Spurs' winless run in the league now stands at 15 matches, just one short of the club's worst-ever winless league run set 91 years ago.

It is bottom club Wolves - who will be relegated if West Ham earn at least a point against Crystal Palace on Monday - against whom Spurs will seek to avoid equalling that streak endured between 1934 and 1935.

"I believe in my players and they have to believe in me. We can't think in the past. We have enough time, we have enough quality," De Zerbi said.

"I don't like people who cry or think too negatively."

Tottenham defender Pedro Porro told BBC Sport: "I think after the game we don't have time for the disappointment. For me and my team-mates, the best thing is keep pushing, keep going.

"I think the team today was very good. The most important thing now is staying positive."

Only the Championship's rock-bottom club Sheffield Wednesday have picked up fewer points (four) than Spurs (six) across English football's top four tiers in 2026.

De Zerbi has been clear that his immediate attention is on restoring confidence in a group of players who have now failed to win each of their last five Premier League games in which they have led.

There were signs of encouragement for the former Seagulls boss in that regard, as his players demonstrated the fight they must show over their remaining games in going toe-to-toe with the league's form team.

There was cause for optimism on the team sheet, too, as long-term absentees Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison were fit enough to start and make the bench respectively.

De Zerbi also praised the fans, whom he will hope can recreate the same atmosphere in the club's final home fixtures against Leeds and Everton.

"We have to say thanks to our fans. They were fantastic, they helped the players a lot before, during and at the end of the game," said De Zerbi.

"The players have to feel lucky because it's not normal that a stadium is like this if you are fighting relegation."

And while De Zerbi has put emphasis on being a "father-figure" to his players at this time, rather than overloading them with tactical information, there are already signs that the team is beginning to mould to his style.

Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, Joe Hart said: "The way Spurs pressed was really impressive and it's not something we've seen from them this season.

"It was a relentless press. The whole stadium was rocking as well. Two goals from high turnovers today - and only four overall this season."

Former Spurs defender Michael Dawson, speaking on Sky Sports, said: "They have to take the positives. This will feel like a loss, it was a chance to turn their fortunes around.

"That is something they will have to deal with. I saw the hunger, desire and commitment. De Zerbi was passionate on the touchline.

"I saw something in that game - it has restored some belief, but this is a starting block."

Spurs travel to Wolves next weekend, then face difficult trips to European hopefuls Aston Villa and Chelsea in search of crucial points.

The task for De Zerbi now is lifting his players after coming within only a few minutes of achieving a momentous victory, the devastation evident on his players' faces at the full-time whistle.

On what he said to his players after the game, De Zerbi told Sky Sports: "I said to be strong, to follow me again because I want to help them.

"They can change the mentality, that is the most important part. Now it's too easy to think negatively, but we have to be focused and work to find the condition to win again.

"Until the end we will fight in every game and give our best. If we are able to give our best, it's not finished yet.

"Today I saw signs. I saw blood, character, qualities, organisation with and without the ball. Everything to reach our target."

Spurs' challenge could yet become greater before they next kick a ball, however, with Nottingham Forest hosting Burnley and West Ham taking on Crystal Palace over the next two days.

"Now they have to sit nervously and watch Nottingham Forest and West Ham play," former Premier League midfielder Andy Reid told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"If both of those teams get wins, this point turns out to be not so great. It is an anxious couple of days ahead."

Match of the Day - 2025/26 Highlights: Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton & Hove Albion Highlights  BBC

Tottenham remain in the bottom three and are denied their first Premier League victory since December as Georginio Rutter scores a late equaliser for Brighton as the two sides draw 2-2 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: Tottenham 2-2 Brighton

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler says his side is capable of playing better despite being happy with the effort his team showed during their 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

MATCH REPORT: Tottenham 2-2 Brighton

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi has made four changes after overseeing a 1-0 loss to Sunderland in his first game in charge.

For his first home match as Spurs boss, De Zerbi hands midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur his first start since undergoing surgery on his hamstring in January.

Kevin Danso replaces the injured Cristian Romero in defence, while Yves Bissouma and Xavi Simons also come in for Archie Gray and Richarlison.

Another huge boost for Spurs is the return of James Maddison to the squad for the first time this season, after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in pre-season.

Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bissouma, Gallagher, Bentancur, Kolo Muani, Solanke, Simons.

Subs: Austin, Dragusin, Palhinha, Richarlison, Maddison, Tel, Gray, Bergvall, Spence.

There are no changes for in-form Brighton.

Fabian Hurzeler's side have won five of their past six in the league as they make a late surge for European football, and the German names the same 11 that started in the 2-0 win over Burnley, with Danny Welbeck leading the line.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, Van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Ayari, Gross, Gomez, Hinshelwood, Minteh, Welbeck.

Subs: Steele, Igor, Rutter, Baleba, Kostoulas, Mitoma, De Cuyper, O'Riley, Veltman.