The former Leeds United man might have just made a huge impact on the Premier League relegation battle.
Sign up to our Leeds United newsletter
Sign up
Thank you for signing up!
Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Yorkshire Evening Post, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more.
Submitting...
Leeds United’s Premier League survival chances were given a fresh boost on Saturday following their 3-0 win over Wolves and two late dropped points for Tottenham Hotspur.
Goals from James Justin, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin sent Leeds nine points clear of the drop zone on Saturday, with Tottenham hosting Brighton later that same day. The North London club are yet to win a league game this calendar year with chances to end that dismal streak running out.
For a large portion of their game against Brighton, Tottenham did look like claiming a monumental three points with Xavi Simons the star. His first-half cross found Pedro Porro to make it 1-0 and after Kaoru Mitoma equalised, the Dutchman scored what looked to be the winner on 77 minutes.
But there was a fresh twist in the tail, and one that came from a former Leeds fan-favourite. In the fifth-minute of seven added on, defender Kevin Danso was tackled in his own box, with Jan Paul van Hecke finding Georginio Rutter to fire home and break Tottenham hearts at the death.
Defeat for Tottenham leaves them still in the bottom three, with closest rivals West Ham looking to extend their one-point cushion when they travel to Crystal Palace this evening. Leeds are now eight points clear of the bottom three with just five games to play.
Subscribe to Inside Elland Road newsletter with Graham Smyth for unique, behind-the-scenes Leeds United coverage, expert analysis and exclusive interviews
Following that massive late goal, both for Brighton’s European hopes and the relegation battle, Rutter posted on Instagram and received messages from former Elland Road colleagues. Leeds legend Stuart Dallas wrote ‘absolutely marvellous’, while Willy Gnonto commented ‘Merci’.
Leeds could extend their cushion even further on Wednesday, albeit they face a tricky tip to in-form Bournemouth. That game has been brought forward due to the Whites’ FA Cup semi-final commitments, with Tottenham next in action at Wolves on Saturday.
Roberto De Zerbi reaction to Tottenham draw
Spurs also host Leeds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next month, although time is running out particularly with the likes of West Ham and Nottingham Forest also picking up points. But Roberto De Zerbi remained very confident following the late dropped points.
“I always thought and believed in the quality of the players,” he said. “They played a good game, I think we can play better than today with much more quality and more calm, especially when we are in possession, but in this moment we need this spirit, this attitude and this mentality.
“It is not finished yet. We have another five games. It is tough. Every one of us knows it is a tough moment, a difficult situation, but we have another five games and 15 points. This team is able to win five games in a row.
“Now, it is difficult to hear my words, but if you watch the players and analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row. Not to be arrogant, because I am not arrogant, especially now, but we have the qualities enough to fight and win games in a row."