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Tottenham Hotspur could feel hard done by after Monday night's 1-1 draw with Leeds United. A win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would have confirmed Premier League survival after what has been an utterly disastrous season, following West Ham's loss at Newcastle United on Sunday.

However, the question that remains unanswered is whether or not things may have been very different had some rather controversial refereeing decisions gone in their favour?

On Monday night, the result could have swung in their favour, had referee Jarred Gillett been advised to change his decision, or even go to the pitch-side monitor for a tackle by Lukas Nmecha on James Maddison in the thirteenth minute of stoppage time. Maddison, returning from a 277-day ACL injury lay-off, took to social media to voice his displeasure at the decision, claiming that Nmecha had not touched the ball.

The VAR, which was operated by Craig Pawson during that clash with Daniel Farke's side, looked at the decision for less than a minute before informing on-field referee Gillett that there was no infringement. Earlier in the clash, Gillett was sent to the pitch-side monitor to overturn his original decision of no penalty after Mathys Tel caught Leeds' Ethan Ampadu on the face, with the penalty being awarded, allowing Dominic Calvert-Lewin to send The Whites back up north with a point.

Now, obviously, the penalty being awarded to Roberto De Zerbi's side would not guarantee a goal or the points, but it would have provided a huge opportunity for Spurs, as well as being their first penalty of the season.

Based on the fantasy that those decisions went in their favour, the results in matches that they have not won may have painted a totally different picture of their poor campaign, which sees them needing one point from their final two matches to maintain their top-flight status. In fact, without VAR, they would already have secured safety, and had the correct decisions on the pitch been made originally, it begs the question that they may have found themselves even higher in the standings.

Gillett at the centre of controversy

The controversy surrounding the game with Leeds will not be the first time that The Lilywhites will feel hard done by when Jarred Gillett has taken charge of their matches throughout the 2025/26 season.

Rewinding to November, Tottenham suffered a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in a game which ultimately turned out to be the beginning of the end for Thomas Frank. However, in the second half of that London Derby, Enzo Fernandez was lucky to escape a red card for endangering the safety of an opponent, as the Argentine put his studs on Joao Palhinha's knee.

In January, in what now looks to be a pivotal match in terms of who may come out of the relegation battle on top, Spurs lost against West Ham at home, as Gillett struck again. A 94th-minute goal from Callum Wilson dramatically sealed the points, but in the 84th-minute, it was simply ludicrous that a penalty was not awarded to the hosts for a handball by Ollie Scarles. His arm was fully outstretched as he prodded the ball away from Conor Gallagher, but VAR James Bell checked and cleared the on-field decision.

Even in the reverse fixture in September, which saw Tottenham win 3-0, there was a highly questionable decision to disallow a first-half header from Cristian Romero following the slightest of collisions between Micky van de Ven and Kyle Walker-Peters. Gillett was also the referee that day.

And it all circles back to the Australian, where Spurs will again feel disappointed that The Hammers' loss at St James' Park wasn't more severe. Before the opener, Tomas Soucek clearly handled the ball to block a Bruno Guimaraes cross-cum-shot, whilst the Brazilian was then the subject of another judgment that went Soucek's way in the second half. Having been fouled by the Czech international, Guimaraes was already on the floor, and the whistle had already been blown, when Soucek booted him twice. But Gillett, his assistant and the VAR all failed to spot it.

Coincidentally, Pawson was the official operating the VAR, and those decisions will feel like a kick in the teeth to the onlooking Spurs fans, who feel the pair should have awarded their side a spot kick in the dying embers of the draw with Leeds.

Are Spurs refereed differently?

Cristian Romero was rightly sent off for his studs-up challenge on Casemiro during their 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford in February. Nevertheless, just a few hours later, Brian Brobbey did not see red for a similar tackle against Arsenal, whilst just three weeks earlier, Manchester United were able to count themselves lucky as Diogo Dalot remained on the pitch despite an arguably worse challenge than the two mentioned above.

In December, Xavi Simons was rightly sent off for his tackle on international teammate Virgil van Dijk in the 2-1 loss against Liverpool, but yet again, other decisions for very similar challenges were treated differently and far more leniently. Hwang Hee-Chan committed what could be considered a worse offence than Spurs' Dutchman as he planted his studs onto the calf of Everton's Harrison Armstrong, whilst Phil Foden also avoided red for a carbon copy of Simons' tackle just a matter of weeks later.

However, the pick of the bunch will come from the North London Derby dismantling under Igor Tudor. Six minutes after falling behind for the second time on the night, Randal Kolo Muani was adjudged to have fouled Gabriel as he scored what would have been an equaliser, and Peter Bankes disallowed the goal.

The introduction of 'Match Officials Mic'd Up' has allowed PGMOL Chief Howard Webb to shed light on the thinking behind each decision, whilst the release of audio, which shares the conclusions drawn by the match officials, has allowed fans to understand the difficulty of their job.

However, in a rare scenario, just days after that decision in the defeat against Arsenal, the show saw match referee Bankes exclusively highlight the thought process of his decision, as opposed to the usual analysis by Webb. Audio released by PGMOL captured Bankes telling the complaining Tottenham players that it was a "clear foul, end of." But just a week later, Tudor's men fell to defeat at Fulham and found themselves on the wrong side of the exact same call.

Radu Dragusin was pushed in the back by Raul Jimenez, but the goal was allowed to stand. It sparked fury from within the Spurs fanbase, as well as their Interim Head Coach, who subsequently received a fine by the FA for his comments surrounding consistency, after The Lilywhites had a goal chalked off seven days prior for Kolo Muani placing two hands onto the back of Gabriel.

In December, as they lost against Liverpool, Hugo Ekitike's eventual winner was aided by his two-handed push on captain Romero, but that goal was also allowed to stand.

Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel disagreement

Introduced during the 2022/23 season, every refereeing decision is evaluated by an independent body known as the Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel. The body is made up of three former players or coaches, as well as one individual from the PGMOL and one from the Premier League.

On New Year's Day, it was ruled by the KMI Panel that a penalty should have been awarded to Tottenham in their 0-0 draw with Brentford for a foul on Archie Gray. With the game finishing goalless, a chance to open the scoring from twelve yards out may have seen The Lilywhites two points better off than they currently are.

In February, it was judged that Rodri should have been shown a second yellow card, having committed both a high challenge on Gallagher and then a cynical foul on Wilson Odobert, despite already walking the tightrope. Spurs did come back from 2-0 down to pick up a point in that game, but again, it remains unforeseen as to whether or not Manchester City being reduced to ten men would have allowed them to register an additional two points on the board.

Arguably, the worst of them all came in De Zerbi's first game as Head Coach, as they lost 1-0 at Sunderland. Brian Brobbey should have been shown a second yellow card in the second half, with the final factor being his needless push on Romero, which led to the Argentine's season being brought to an abrupt end in April.

Coincidentally, Rob Jones was the referee in both the draw with City and the defeat against The Black Cats, with both games seeing both guilty parties get away with multiple fouls having been booked already.

De Zerbi disgust

The Italian Head Coach, who was given just seven games to save Spurs' season, looks set to achieve that now, and they could wrap it up with a game to spare when they travel to Chelsea on Tuesday night. A win will ensure it is guaranteed, whilst a draw all-but-confirms it, with a mammoth swing in goal difference needed for West Ham to stand any chance of surviving the drop on the final day.

But the former Brighton tactician may believe it could have already been secured had decisions gone in their favour, even in his short time as Spurs boss. They could have secured a different result against Sunderland had they been reduced to ten men, but there is also an argument that Regis Le Bris' side could have had a second man sent off.

Luke O'Nien appeared to catch Destiny Udogie on the calf as the Italian raced through one-on-one with Robin Roefs, but referee Jones and the VAR, operated by James Bell - the same official who failed to award a penalty to Spurs for handball in the loss at home to West Ham in January - remarkably saw nothing wrong with the challenge.

Factoring in the decision not to give Spurs a penalty in the matchup with Leeds, there could be a case that, under De Zerbi, they could be, at the bare minimum, four points better off. That would have secured Premier League survival by now.

Even in his first couple of months at the helm, De Zerbi has appeared visibly frustrated by the way Tottenham are refereed throughout the course of matches. Whether that be through different levels of leniency shown by referees to his team compared to the opposition, or the poor decisions officials are making.

This could also be directed to the Italian himself, who has already been booked twice in just five matches since being appointed. Meanwhile, other Premier League bosses appear to get away unharmed despite their regular, frustrating antics on the sideline. Roberto De Zerbi was warned about his behaviour in the technical area by referee Jarred Gillett after just eleven minutes in the draw with Leeds, before he was shown a yellow card after Ethan Ampadu clattered into both James Maddison and Joao Palhinha and was not shown a card.

He was visibly upset with the refereeing performance on display in that game. Speaking after the full-time whistle against Leeds, De Zerbi said, "The first minute until the end of the game, the referee went to me, ‘if you go out (of the technical area), yellow card,’ and I think they were not calm today.

"Maybe they suffered the pressure of yesterday, the West Ham-Arsenal game and VAR. For sure, we suffer the pressure today for the speed of the ball, for the order of the pitch, and we didn’t play with patience on the ball, frenetic, we were rushed, but also the referee was not calm. I don’t know, I can’t understand the polemic about yesterday's VAR because it was a foul, 200 per cent, not 100 per cent, if you want to talk about football."

Again, it makes you think whether or not there is a different, far-lower level of tolerance shown towards Tottenham than other teams in the Premier League.

The impact

The decisions aforementioned do not even begin to scratch the surface.

In the 2-2 draw with Newcastle in December, Rodrigo Bentancur conceded a penalty despite being placed in a headlock by Dan Burn. When Spurs drew 1-1 with Sunderland in January, Brobbey could have easily seen red in that game too - he later scored the equaliser. Virgil van Dijk was lucky to remain on the pitch after a possible DOGSO (Denial of an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity) offence when The Lilywhites drew 1-1 at Anfield in March.

It is factually impossible to predict the exact outcomes of these games had decisions gone Tottenham's way. But one thing that is for certain is that there is a maximum of twenty points that could have been handed out differently, and may have landed the North Londoners in a very different position ahead of their final two matches of the season.

There is also the overarching issue of the overall standard of refereeing, which is affecting every team in the league and stirring up a talking point every single week. With that being considered, the table may also look rather different, but it does feel as though no one has been affected to the same level as the sheer scale that Tottenham have.

In an alternative universe, Spurs sit on 58 points and are in a favourable position to secure the final UEFA Champions League spot. In a realistic alternate, they are safe and have been for several weeks, even if just half of the decisions went their way.

Tottenham Hotspur are fighting for Premier League survival, along with West Ham. They do still have a two-point lead over the Hammers, but missed the chance to extend that gap.

Leeds United and Nottingham Forest were both guaranteed to stay up on Sunday, after Arsenal beat West Ham.

Therefore, Leeds arrived in London with a sense of freedom and the fact that they were unbeaten in their last four league matches.

Spurs had recorded back-to-back wins against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa but still had work to do.

They started the match well against Daniel Farke's side and Mathys Tel gave them the lead in the 49th minute.

Tel was then involved again in the 74th minute when he gave away the penalty that Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the equaliser from.

Both sides had chances in the final stages of the game as thirteen additional minutes were played.

Antonin Kinsky made a great save to deny Leeds' Sean Longstaff.

Spurs had a potential penalty shout when James Maddison, making his return after ten months injured, was tackled in the box. It was checked by VAR, but nothing was given, and the game ended level.

Here are four takeaways from the game.

Not necessarily a bad performance

There will be some frustration that Spurs could not hold on and get the win because, at this stage in the season, it would have been a huge three points.

However, the performance at Villa last week was strong and this was not a bad showing either.

De Zerbi has the team looking far more organised and more of a threat, so he deserves great credit for that.

Igor Tudor's reign did not do anything to help Spurs' season, but De Zerbi is having an impact.

It could be said that their attack is still lacking some conviction and that could still be due to the number of players they are missing.

In the closing stages, they delivered several balls into the box from corners and crosses but were never really able to trouble the Leeds backline too much.

Goalscoring may be a concern still but there are positives. Mathys Tel took his goal well and he may be one of the players that their survival hopes are pinned to. It was unfortunate that he was the player who conceded the penalty.

At the end of the game, it may have been a case that Spurs did not want to risk losing the game in place of winning it.

They remain in danger, but there are far more positives than there have been in the last few months.

Antonín Kinsky's redemption

Under former manager Igor Tudor, Antonin Kinsky endured a difficult night away in Madrid when he conceded three goals in the opening minutes of a UEFA Champions League game with Atletico Madrid.

He was subbed off early on, and many may have thought that it would be the end of his Spurs career.

However, Guglielmo Vicario is currently recovering from surgery, and Kinsky has been filling in.

In the recent game at Wolves, he made an excellent last-minute save from a free-kick to ensure his side got the win.

Against Leeds, he stepped up with a good save in the first half and then in stoppage time at the end of the match, he reacted quickly to get a strong hand on Longstaff's shot.

It was an important save and possibly one of the best saves of the season by a Premier League keeper.

The player also looks as though he is growing in confidence and relishing these big moments.

Does James Maddison still have a part to play?

The former Leicester City midfielder has been named on the bench in several recent games but made his first appearance of the season against the side from West Yorkshire.

He has been out injured all season and has clearly been missed by Spurs.

He came on in the closing stages, but due to the lengthy amount of time added on, he probably played more minutes than he may have been expecting.

In the time he was on the pitch, he was able to have an impact.

He delivered several corners, looking to get his side up the pitch and had a late shout for a penalty.

It is unlikely that the England international will make a starting appearance this season, but in the final two games, he may still be able to help out his side.

Maddison appeared emotional at full time after making his return and there may be a hope that his return to fitness could have come at the ideal time.

Is it a missed opportunity?

Spurs play Chelsea and Everton in their final two matches.

Whereas West Ham play Newcastle United and Leeds.

The concern will be that Nuno Espirito Santo's side play at the weekend against Newcastle, before Spurs take on Chelsea next Tuesday.

If the Hammers win at the weekend, then they will go ahead of Spurs and have a one-point advantage, but having played a game more.

Despite the Blues not being in good form, it will not be an easy trip to Stamford Bridge for De Zerbi's side.

Therefore, the battle remains very much on and there could be one more surprise result or twist in the tale.

As it stands, the sides have played the same number of games and Spurs have a two-point lead. They are not in a bad position and, with West Ham losing this weekend, they have been able to strengthen their position.

Their London rivals have lost their last two matches, so they may not be in good form, but they did push Arsenal very close on Sunday, narrowly losing 1-0.

At the end of the Leeds game, the Spurs players had given it everything and many fell to the floor in tiredness, possibly physical and mental fatigue.

As a standalone result, and forming part of a four-match unbeaten run with two draws and two wins, a point against a good Leeds side is not a bad outcome.

It is just that in the context of the season, the Spurs would have really benefited from a win.

Time will tell if it was an important point on the road to survival or a costly night and one that got away from them.

Roberto de Zerbi spoke about a 1-1 draw between Tottenham and Leeds United.

The Whites were already safe, so all focus was on whether or not Spurs could pull away from West Ham, who were defeated 1-0 by Arsenal on Sunday. They took the lead through a brilliant effort from Mathys Tel, but an attempted overhead kick from the forward in his box led to an infringement that allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to equalise in the final twenty minutes of normal time.

‘When you fight relegation, you need to stay strong’

The head coach commented happily on the return of the team’s ten, who has been missing from action since the start of August with an ACL injury from preseason against Newcastle United. However, he cannot afford to relax too much, looking to take points from their clashes with Chelsea and Everton.

"We didn't play a great game. We played a good game. I think we deserved to win anyway but maybe the pressure, the crucial game, the crucial part of the season, we suffered too much. I am happy because I watched my players with the right spirit, with the right mentality.

"We made too many mistakes. If we want to win, we have to reduce the mistakes, but we know before this game it will be tough until the end of the season, until the last game. It is tough for us and tough for everyone.

“We have to consider the result and the performance. We played a good game. We are making points. The last four games we made eight points. Congratulations to Leeds, they played a great game, they have to play the last game at West Ham and we've no doubt they’ll play the same way.

“I did not see honestly. I didn't watch the Maddison penalty, maybe yes, maybe no. I heard my assistant, but I don't want to come inside a polemic. The referee was not calm today. Maybe he felt the pressure of yesterday? He is human and it can happen, but no problem. He was good on the pitch. We prepare the next two games.

"I am sorry for the penalty we conceded because Mathys Tel scored a great goal. He is very young and it is not a problem for me. I am happy for the attitude and mentality.

“[James Maddison] is a different player. We have had a lot of injuries, but we are good enough to stay up with these players.

"We didn't play well but fighting relegation is like this, you cannot play all games calm. We have to improve and change the habits, fighting relegation is different to fighting for the Champions League.

“[Mathys Tel] is young and is a talent. I will kiss him and hug him. He doesn't need too many words. He was sorry for the mistake, and it can happen to a young player.

"We deserve to stay up, and we fight until the end. When you fight relegation, you need to stay strong not with the legs but with the head."

Daniel Farke felt proud of his players after their 1-1 draw between Leeds United and Tottenham.

A 1-0 loss for West Ham against Arsenal meant that the Whites were already confirmed to be safe in the topflight. They still would have wanted to crown the campaign with a strong end to the season, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin levelled from the penalty spot to respond to the Mathys Tel opener.

‘We stepped up and deserved to equalise’

Farke was happy to see an opposition player whom he coached at Norwich City come back to the field after a 9 month layoff from an ACL injury, but he was happiest about the efforts of his team.

“During the long season there are sometimes games that you don't win just with the quality football-wise. Of course it was a difficult game, Tottenham were highly motivated with the back to back wins, the stadium was on it. For us the big pressure was off us with the results but it was a difficult week, we had to play without many key players and also during the game some setbacks.

"It was another setback early in the second half to concede but the mentality that the players showed, we stepped up and fully deserved to equalise. Then we didn't stop we wanted to go for it, and in the end the chances with Sean Longstaff nearly won this game. It says a lot about the team.

“I'm so happy and delighted for him. It's great to see him back because if you love football and you love a baller then you also love James Maddison. He can be unbelievable and is one of the most creative players in this country.

"Of course, it was difficult for him after being out for so long to come into this crunch moment, but the affect he can have, he has shown in the last minutes. He was smart, he knows how to win a free-kick or what he has to do in the box, perhaps to win a penalty. Great set pieces, great delivery, a top character. Fingers crossed he can stay fit and healthy.

“We are a promoted side so we won't win games in this league because of our quality. We also need a top fitness level, a top game plan, we need to be versatile in the tactical approach, and we can play a three man or four man formation, change during the game too.

It finished one apiece between Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United on a Monday night that kept the relegation battle alive and kicking.

Though many would have predicted the Whites to be in such a situation at the start of the campaign, Daniel Farke's side were guaranteed safety following West Ham's loss against Arsenal on Sunday.

Spurs, meanwhile, were also offered the chance to go four points clear of the 18-placed Hammers with a win.

Nerves jangled from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium stands in a first half that presented the hosts with some scrappy opportunities.

Mathys Tel’s cultured finish acted as a relaxant early in the second half for only twenty minutes. The same right boot soon thrusted the Lilywhites back into the relegation picture, however, as the Frenchman's acrobatic clearance grazed Ethan Ampadu's face.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scorched in his thirteenth league goal of the season from the spot - an equaliser that Roberto De Zerbi's men could not break free of in the closing stages, leaving them hovering only two points above the drop zone.

Here is how the Tottenham players performed on another huge night in north London.

Tottenham Player Ratings

Antonin Kinsky - 9

Solid on the ball, as he has been throughout De Zerbi's stewardship, but two fantastic saves made it a memorable individual display for the Czech.

His first saw him claw back a Joe Rodon header off the goal line, while his second - one of the saves of the season - displayed lightning quick reflexes to tip Sean Longstaff's bullet of a strike onto the crossbar.

Pedro Porro - 6

One of the few progressive passers in the first period and had moments when drifting into midfield. Became less adventurous as the game wore on and a bit lapser defensively.

Kevin Danso - 5

Bailed out teammate Mathys Tel early doors with a vital header. Largely untested at the back, though his limited passing ability made more direct play tricky to come by.

Micky van de Ven - 6

Similar to centre-back partner Danso, the Dutchman was slightly looser and could have been bolder on the ball at times. There was a fine last ditch tackle on Lukas Nmecha though.

Destiny Udogie - 5

Had some good defensive spells in the first half but did not offer much aside, particularly going forward. Subbed off 86 mins.

Joao Palhinha - 6

Struggled in a midfield that needed more fluidity to break down Leeds' block. Did sky a good early chance over the bar. Looked better when dropping into a back three and made a great intervention in the Lilywhites' box shortly after the equaliser.

Rodrigo Bentancur - 6

Probably the best midfielder on the night and did well in his duels. Led the press well in the brief time when Spurs were ahead. Also limited in possession. Subbed off 81 mins.

Conor Gallagher - 5

Did not lead the press as he did against Aston Villa and lacked gusto for most of the contest. Unfortunately reverted to the Gallagher of his first few months at Spurs.

Randal Kolo Muani - 6

Took up good positions and did okay as a nuisance off the ball. Little zing and control with it at his feet, however, meant he rarely mustered any threat.

Mathys Tel - 6

The ultimate mixed bag. The pluses being a wonderfully struck goal and energy in the high press in the aftermath. The negatives being a heart in mouth cross into his own box in the first half and a reckless overhead kick that handed Leeds a penalty. Subbed off 86 mins.

Richarlison - 4

A lapse in controlling a through ball from Porro in the opening ten minutes set the tone for the Brazilian, whose night was full of iffy touches and wayward finishing. Also caused fewer problems for the Leeds backline in his pressing.

Substitutes:

Lucas Bergvall - 5

Subbed on 81 mins. Poise on the ball, probably could have been introduced earlier.

Djed Spence - 5

Subbed on 86 mins. Some positive movements late on.

James Maddison - 5

Subbed on 86 mins. Looked lively but understandably trying to keep things lowkey after over a year out injured.

The first thing that occurs when thinking about Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham versus the rest of the season is that since he has come in he has used wholly positive language.

De Zerbi has actively spoken against the mindset of excuse making, showing contempt to the idea that everything is going wrong. This was no more prominent than when he, ahead of Aston Villa, spoke with Sky Sports' Michael Bridge about the injury situation and commented on the fact that Bridge had been highlighting this in his reporting. No crying allowed was De Zerbi’s mantra in a passionate monologue.

Bridge, himself a Spurs fan, took it all in good grace, but the message was clear: De Zerbi is not here to make excuses. He is here to only look forwards and give the players the platform to play as he knows they can.

The words were fine, but actions speak louder and thankfully the volume was turned all the way up at Villa park. This was no more evident than with Randal Kolo Muani, who, having endured an extremely disappointing season for Tottenham, had by far his best game. On being substituted, Muani came off to applause and camaraderie from the Spurs fans in recognition of his effort. He even smiled.

Conor Gallagher was exceptional in a Spurs shirt. Not just his goal, but his relentless pressing, clever decision-making, ability to spot danger and nous to understand where he should be at all times. Gallagher won’t have learned all of these things overnight. He will have always known how to play like this, but forgotten that he could. De Zerbi brought out of him the belief that he could show everyone what was always there.

Then there is the case of goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. He has been restored the team due to Vicario’s hernia issues, but you would not know that he was a supposed second choice. This is a stark contrast to the goalkeeper who left the field crying away to Atletico Madrid as Tottenham exited last the Champions League.

That player had no self-belief, had been exposed publicly by an interim manager who lacked all bedside manner, and everybody assumed his career with the North London club was over.

Across the past three games, Kinsky has shown assuredness, ability with his feet, for which he is well reputed but hadn’t been displayed since last season, and full confidence from his defence.

Why? Because with Kinsky and every other player at Spurs, De Zerbi focused primarily on building up their confidence, restoring their self-esteem, and making sure that when they enter the pitch, they believe they are good enough to win, regardless of any supposed limitations.

There is a huge contrast between this mindset and that under Thomas Frank, under whom players, either by design or by unhappy accident, believed they couldn’t play any way other than passively and with reverence for the opposition. This is De Zerbi’s greatest impact so far.

Oh look, players being coached

It would be unfair to say that Spurs' new manager has merely come in and cheerled this side. In fact, when you look at what the players are doing on the pitch, you can see a cohesion that hasn’t existed in, at the very least, the previous nine months.

When receiving the ball, players’ body shape is suddenly better. It allows them to relieve pressure on themselves quickly. These previously stuttering footballers are not having to take as many touches as before, and are finding teammates far more accurately.

Of course there are still mistakes and unforced errors. Of course there is still a limit to what certain players are able to do, and a lack of genuine creativity due to Spurs’ injury problems. However, the burden of thought has been lifted by these and several other very subtle but impactful tweaks.

This happens on the training pitch, and this is where De Zerbi has his reputation. He works with players actively to ensure that they understand how they can most simply and most easily affect play around them. He coaches them on how to prepare to receive a pass, on scanning and understanding the field around them. He coaches them on where to move, when to press, and how to react.

The results? Spurs dominated Aston Villa. Spurs had not truly dominated any match this season, but against Villa they had most of the ball and all of the impetus. When the North Londoners had possession, they were making far better, calmer decisions, and when they didn’t have the ball they knew exactly how and where to win it back.

Aston Villa’s consolation goal, late into injury time, was their first shot on target during the match. This is testament to not just how much belief De Zerbi has instilled in the short space of time, but how quickly he has got to the source of Spurs’ prior tactical and technical limitations.

If Spurs stay up, they should be excited about what they can achieve with more fit players available - returnees such as Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison, maybe even Dejan Kulusevski.

They should also hope that this board backs De Zerbi with the transfers needed to fully execute his ideals. If he can do this in limited time with players not necessarily suited to his philosophy, then imagine what he will be capable of with even 75% of the backing he will demand.

Audere est Facere

The final element about De Zerbi in his time at Tottenham so far is that he has really embraced what Tottenham are. This doesn’t just mean coming in and saying, “We’re a big club who play good football.” No, this means speaking as if he had been part of the furniture and part of the fabric of the club for a long period of time.

In press conferences, without even referring to style, as everyone knows his preferred way to play, the passionate Lombardian exudes a genuine belonging to Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs identity is to be daring, ambitious, innovative. Thomas Frank leading with “we will lose football matches”, and irritating constant comparisons with Arsenal was never going to wash. Igor Tudor was a mortician when what was needed was a magician, or at least some stardust.

Tottenham Hotspur is, and always has been, a positive club. This has even been true during the fallow years without a trophy. The club has been associated with great players, great moments, and are part of English football’s aristocracy.

Therefore, Tottenham Hotspur needs a manager who befits that mentality and who embraces it more than ever when faced with the permanent belittlement of its place in the elite that relegation poses. A manager who believes that Spurs is a huge club, and that he is the right manager for a huge club.

Thomas Frank did not understand. Even Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, the two serial winners in between Mauricio Pochettino and Ange Postecoglou, did not understand. They believed Tottenham Hotspur was lucky to have them. De Zerbi manifests the belief that Spurs belongs near the top and competitive at all times, and that he is the manager to deliver that.

This translates to the players and to the crowd. Going into the match a few weeks ago against Nottingham Forest, the Spurs support were exceptional, but in reality it was driven by fear.

Going into this match against Leeds, there should be a similarly brilliant atmosphere - one driven by hope and optimism because De Zerbi has reminded everybody, purely in his adoption of Tottenham Hotspur’s ideals, that this is a club of hope and optimism.

There is still much work to do, and little margin for error, but thanks to De Zerbi Spurs enter that last three matches rejuvenated and remembering what the club is. If this remains the case, they will be playing top flight football again next season, and the De Zerbi’s era can truly begin.

Unai Emery expressed his thoughts on a 2-1 defeat for Aston Villa against Tottenham.

The Villans were slow to start on home soil as Conor Gallagher and Richarlison netted twice in the first 25 minutes of the match while Joao Palhinha smashed the inside of the post from long range.

Emiliano Buendia halved the deficit in second half injury time, but that strike was not enough.

‘We are still being in advantage’

It has been a bad week for the club, beaten 1-0 by Fulham on the previous Premier League matchday after losing 1-0 to Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final first leg.

But they are still six points clear of Bournemouth with only three topflight fixtures to go in the schedule, and qualification for Champions League football is still more likely than not.

“Disappointed, but we must accept. Today, Tottenham, especially the first half, they played better than us. They were so, so focused and they scored two goals so quick.

“After, it was more difficult. We tried to react. The second half we played more or less reacting, but we couldn’t get really clear chances. We scored the last minute with Emiliano Buendia. But now is the moment I can feel overall how we are doing the season and accepting. We lost, and today they deserved to win, Tottenham, and keep going in the Premier League to fight for the positions we are.

“We had consistency, a lot of very good things getting points. Now, especially the last match in Fulham and today, we didn’t get the points, but we are still being in advantage of other teams.

“Next match is in Burnley on Sunday, and another opportunity. My priority now is to recover players, mentally as well, try to support the players and try to get a good mood again during the week.

“Of course, we are going to play on Thursday (a) match here I didn’t play before – one semi-final at home, second leg in Europa League, and of course, it’s something we must be so, so motivated (about) and focusing now.

“In the league is 38 matches and we finished today – the day 35 – with 58 points. Other teams, it’s not easy for them to get points, and we are still being in front of them to achieve the top-five position.”

Tottenham Hotspur remain in the bottom three of the Premier League and are still two points from safety.

After a difficult period stretching back to December without a win, Spurs secured their first win of 2026 at Molineux last weekend, against the league's bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

They again make the trip to the West Midlands this weekend to face Unai Emery's Aston Villa on Sunday, May 3.

It will be the third time that the sides have met this season, with the previous two meetings taking place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Both in the league and the FA Cup, the matches ended 2-1 to Villa.

Villa have also won the last two meetings at Villa Park, with one of those also coming in the FA Cup.

The last time that Spurs tasted victory in this fixture was a 4-1 win in November 2024.

Spurs are fighting to stay in the league. Whereas Villa are looking to secure qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.

They are also competing in the UEFA Europa League, with this game sandwiched between their semi-final ties with Nottingham Forest.

Start of something special?

There will be a hope that last week's victory can provide the required boost to their season.

There are just four games remaining so time is tight. However, sometimes it can only take one result to turn a corner.

There will be a hope that the win is enough to kick Spurs into action.

It was not necessarily an outstanding performance but their job was to leave Molineux with the three points and that is what they did.

They should take confidence from that and it breaks the long run without a win.

If Spurs can take the positives from the win then they may be in a position to put a run together.

It does not need to be pretty, they just need to find ways to get points.

For many weeks, it has been said that it was likely a case of 'now or never' for Spurs. The win last week does not change that but they have made the start and got the first of however many wins they will need to give them a chance of avoiding the drop.

All is still not well

Critics will say that Spurs made hard work of getting the three points.

On paper, Wolves are the easiest game that teams can have in this season's Premier League and Spurs did not win easily.

They needed Antonin Kinsky to make several big saves in goal, notably denying Adam Armstrong when he was in one-on-one and saving a free-kick from Joao Gomes in the final moments of the match.

Therefore, other teams in the league may not be sitting up and taking notice of Spurs just yet.

If they can back it up with a win in Birmingham then it would likely be a different story.

However, that is the challenge in front of them.

Not a lot changed

The other concern for Spurs may be that they won their game but with West Ham and Nottingham Forest winning last weekend the table remains the same.

It is arguably worse for Spurs as another gameweek has passed by and they remain in the bottom three.

They remain two points behind the Hammers and five points behind Forest.

Roberto De Zerbi will point out that his side cannot worry about other results and that they can only focus on winning their own games.

However, they may be internally frustrated that results did not go their way as at one point when West Ham were drawing, Spurs were moving out of the drop zone on goal difference.

Fresh injury setbacks

In the game against Brighton, where he scored the goal to put Spurs ahead, and against Wolves Xavi Simons was one of Spurs' best players.

He left the pitch on a stretcher at Molineux and has been ruled out for the rest of the season and the summer's World Cup.

It will come as a blow for De Zerbi to lose such a key attacking threat.

They are also waiting on the fitness of striker Dominic Solanke who limped off in the first half last week.

Spurs have a lengthy injury list and it is still growing.

This will not help their cause.

Villa may not be in the strongest form, losing last week at Fulham and that was their second defeat in their last five Premier League games. However, Spurs will need to be at their best to get a result.

A win and a draw in their last two games suggests an upturn in form.

They very much remain in the battle for survival and, despite their struggles, are far from down yet.

They will be arriving in Birmingham bruised with another injury but hopeful that they can back up the victory from last week.

Roberto de Zerbi shared updates about the state of his squad as Tottenham travel to Wolves.

‘He was one of my perfect players’

Injuries have been a big factor in the failures of the club during the last two years, and the Italian head coach continues to work without several significant options in attack for the final phase of the season.

"Destiny Udogie has a problem and can't play tomorrow. I'm sorry, because he played a great first half, second half as well, but the first one was great. We have Djed Spence, Souza is also available to come with us, so it's not a big problem. I hope Destiny will be available next week at Villa Park.

“It’s a muscular injury [for Destiny], but not so important. He didn't play for a long time, and it can happen at the beginning when you start to feel something of this problem. I have a big opinion about Destiny, and he is a crucial player for us. We are lucky because we can play with Djed Spence, another important player. I think he is playing very well this season, another very good guy.

“[James Maddison] is not available yet. Especially this week, he felt pain, but not a so important problem. He will come with us on the bench because it's important if he plays or not. It doesn't matter. It's better if he plays, for sure, but also as a guy, as a leader, as a positive guy inside of my dressing room. I want to see nice people and positive people and it's important also for his team-mates.

“I'm sorry for [Dejan Kulusevski] because he was one of my perfect players. He is a very specific player for me, like Mohamed Kudus, like Cristian Romero. I hope for him that he can play in the World Cup because the World Cup for a player is a moment, is the best period of their career. I don't know the situation very well.

“[Pape Matar Sarr has] felt pain in the shoulder and this week he has not worked with the group. He is not available to play.

“[Guglielmo Vicario] is not available for tomorrow. I hope he can start with me from Monday. Antonin Kinsky is playing very well and from Monday we go to work with him. I hope Vicario can come back in the best physical condition because he is another very important player for us.”

‘I consider the attitude, the behaviour’

The fallout from the 2-2 draw with Brighton was also on the media’s radar. Georginio Rutter levelled the score for the Seagulls in North London as he profited from a Kevin Danso mistake, and the defender has been the recipient of reams of racial abuse on social media in the days that followed.

De Zerbi defends Kevin Danso against racist abuse

De Zerbi stood up for the player, and he asked other team members to step up for the fight to survive.

“I was very annoyed by the racist insults towards Kevin Danso, but he has to be calm. I am proud for him. He played a fantastic game, not a good game, a fantastic game. It was important for the result, but I don't consider one mistake so important.

“I consider the attitude, I consider the behaviour on the pitch, the quality in which he played that game, the personality while he played that game. He will be here next season because he is a good guy, he is a very good player and every one of us is lucky to work with him.

“I think Xavi Simons but also Conor Gallagher [stepped up against Brighton]. I watched the same Gallagher when he played in Chelsea. Dominic Solanke played a great game, Micky van de Ven, I don't know what the problem was, but everyone knows my opinion about him. Pedro Porro scored a goal, but he played an important game.

“Udogie, Danso maybe can improve in the confidence, not in the attitude because he is a good guy, he worked a lot in the defensive phase, especially in defensive space, but Randal Kolo Muani in the second half, the second part of the game, Mathys Tel, both can play better. Not play better because they are playing bad, but because they have big talent and I want to see all this talent on the pitch.

“It's not the best position for [Kolo Muani], right winger, and also for Mathys Tel, because Mathys Tel is more of a winger, but in the left side. For a winger, from my experience because I was a winger, it's a totally different playing the left and the right side. Both they can play and we need them in that position.

“It's not a problem about the position of the pitch, but confidence and players can change completely, performance depends on the confidence. If they feel confident from the coach, from the environment, from the fans, and they want to help them both to play following their qualities, that's just it.”Log in

Tottenham's risk of being relegated from the Premier League continues to grow after a draw with Brighton ensured their stay in the bottom three for another week.

Spurs put on one of their better performances of the last few weeks and looked set to claim all three points after goals from Pedro Porro and Xavi Simons, however, equalisers from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter meant the points were shared.

The North London side have now gone 15 games without a win and are still looking for their first league victory of 2026.

However, Roberto De Zerbi remained confident of his team's survival hopes and insisted they have the quality to pull through.

"Brighton is a very good team. In this moment, they are playing very well, but I think we deserved to win the game, " said the Italian manager.

"I'm very proud for the performance of my players. I'm very proud because they gave all of them their best, with the right mentality, with the right blood, with the right character.

"And I'm disappointed just for the result, for my players and for the fans, because it was an incredible atmosphere today.

"It is tough. Every one of us knows it is a tough moment, it is 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."

Despite the disappointing result, Tottenham did put on a promising performance, spearheaded by Simons, who assisted the opener before scoring the second.

"He played very well, a great game, " said the Spurs boss.

"I think he can play better and better, because a player like this, he needs to feel confidence from the manager.

"I think I'm lucky to have this player on my team, but also he's lucky because with number 10, I can understand better than other coaches."

De Zerbi will be hoping for more performances like today's from the Dutch midfielder if Tottenham are to escape this relegation battle.