Tottenham Hotspur surrendered the lead twice to draw 2-2 with Brighton and Hove Albion in the capital on Saturday evening, and pundit Les Ferdinand was baffled by what he saw Xavi Simons do in the second half of the game.
Tottenham looked on course to record their first Premier League win of 2026 after twice going in front against Roberto De Zerbi's former employers, with Xavi Simons putting them ahead in the 77th minute.
However, Spurs were unable to hold on for a victory that would have moved them out of the relegation zone, with Georginio Rutter's 95th-minute equaliser proving heartbreak for the hosts.
De Zerbi's men could find themselves four points from safety by the time they next play, against rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux next Saturday, should Nottingham Forest and West Ham beat Burnley and Crystal Palace respectively over the rest of the weekend.
With five games remaining, Tottenham need a win quickly and they won't get many better opportunities than against Wolves, who have lost 22 of their 33 top flight fixtures this term.
There were signs of hope against the Seagulls, but also some moments that confused those watching on too.
Les Ferdinand Confused by Xavi Simons Celebration
On a tense night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Simons decided to react to his brilliant strike by taking his shirt off during his celebration.
It was a moment that confused Sky Sports pundit Ferdinand, who turned to fellow pundit Michael Dawson during the game to say that he thought it was the wrong thing to do.
The pundit told Sky Sports: "It was a great second goal by Xavi Simons, but the celebrations... I looked at Daws [Michael Dawson] and I said '78 minutes, there's still a long way to go'. You need concentration."
While an outpouring of emotion is understandable in that situation, Tottenham are without a league win in 2026 for a reason and with 13 minutes left to play, plus injury-time, after the goal it was a bit of a foolish move.
It proved to be as Brighton stuck a dagger through the hearts of the hosts, who must pick themselves up immediately and go again at Molineux.
Xavi Simons Was a Difference-Maker
Despite that slight blot on his copybook, Simons was largely outstanding during the game and he made a big difference to Tottenham in the final third with his creativity and finishing.
The Dutch international ended the game with a goal and an assist to show for his efforts, while his suffering of cramp at the end of the game hardly helped his teammates in the final minutes of the match.
The 22-year-old struggled to be a regular starter under either Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor following his move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last summer, but this match was a sign that he could be the key to keeping the club in the Premier League.
The Dutchman came into the starting XI against the Seagulls having started on the bench in De Zerbi's first fixture in charge at Sunderland, but now he must keep his place for the next five matches.
If he does, Tottenham will have their best hope of scoring more goals and achieving their short-term goal of avoiding relegation to the Championship.