BBC

Time is a resource that has intrigued humans for millennia. We fight against it every second of the day. Some try to buy more of it, while others chase it through sweat and self-discipline. Right now, Tottenham fans would do almost anything for a sliver more.

As 2025 turned into 2026, the boardroom at Spurs refused to panic. There were five months of the season to go, plenty of time. "No need to panic," they told us. Relegation was not even a line on the emergency procedure leaflet handed out to new starters.

So they sat and they watched as Thomas Frank burned through game after game. Eventually they acted, but Igor Tudor opened the window and let more drift away. Finally, the double act of Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange, perhaps the biggest wasters of time in our recent history, acted. But it seems, sadly, the damage had already been done.

Our decision-makers may finally have found a manager capable of saving us, but it is too late. Roberto de Zerbi appears to have given us lift, but the runway is too short. We are not going to make it.

In a modern Premier League where every club has money and reach, we took our place for granted. Just because something always has been does not mean it always will be.

History is littered with the fall of dynasties. Even ones as modestly successful as ours needed care and direction over time to maintain it. Nothing, no matter how strong, is immune to decline.

While those around us evolved and adapted, our club clung to the past, mistaking familiarity for stability. I do not stand alone in this sadness. Our fanbase is filled with melancholy and disbelief. All year our managers and board have referenced boats and tankers. Well, congratulations, it has finally sunk.

The performance, the fight, even the point against Brighton were hard-earned. But letting two points slip only reinforces the feeling that it is too little, too late.

There are five games left, but our biggest opponent is time, and there is no way we can beat that.

Wolves are unbeaten in their last six Premier League games against Spurs (W4 D2), with their four wins in that time just one fewer than they had in their first 17 against them in the competition (W5 D3 L9).

Tottenham have lost their last three away league games against Wolves, as many as they had in their previous 16 visits to Molineux (W10 D3).

Wolves have lost 22 Premier League matches this season. They’ve only lost more in four previous top-flight seasons – 23 in 1905-06, 25 in 1964-65, 25 in 1983-84, and 23 in 2011-12.

Tottenham Hotspur remain winless in all 15 of their Premier League games in 2026 (D6 L10), now just one short of their all-time longest winless run in league competition of 16 matches from December 1934 to April 1935.

Wolves have lost their last two Premier League games 4-0 to Wolves and 3-0 to Leeds. They haven’t lost three league games in a row by 3+ goals since November 2014 in the Championship, while in the top-flight it last happened in the same season in November 1983.

Spurs won seven of their first eight Premier League games when scoring first this season, conceding only three goals in those eight games. They’ve since won none of their last five when going 1-0 up (D3 L2), shipping 11 goals.

In the last two seasons, the two ever-present teams with the fewest Premier League points are Wolves (59) and Spurs (69), while the two sides with the most defeats are Wolves (42) and Spurs (38).

Wolverhampton Wanderers have failed to score in 17 Premier League matches this season, last failing to score in more games in a league season in 2000-01 (19). The only top-flight seasons they’ve had more games without scoring are 1981-82 (20) and 1983-84 (22).

Wolves manager Rob Edwards lost both of his Premier League meetings with Tottenham in 2023-24 while he was Luton manager, but his biggest win in the competition was in January 2024 against a Brighton team managed by Roberto De Zerbi – the Hatters won 4-0.

Xavi Simons has been involved in four goals in his last two starts in all competitions for Tottenham (3 goals, 1 assist). All five of his goals for the club have come at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, however – he’s had 20 shots away from home without success.

When Harry Maguire signed a new Manchester United contract this month, the experienced England defender removed himself from the list of this summer's potential free agents.

Some big Premier League names have already announced their intention to leave when their deals expire - including Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva, Liverpool's Andy Robertson, Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier and Maguire's team-mate Casemiro.

But the future of many senior players remains uncertain, with fewer than five weeks of the league season remaining.

From returning loanees to stand-out performers who are likely to be in demand elsewhere, BBC Sport takes stock of more than 60 players who could be on the move come June.

Head coach Andoni Iraola is one man who will definitely be leaving Vitality Stadium in a few weeks. And his replacement, Marco Rose, will be desperate for defender Marcos Senesi to stay in Dorset.

The impressive Argentine, 28, has started every league game this season bar one - for which he was suspended - but has already rejected three new offers from the Cherries, amid reported interest from Juventus and a host of Premier League clubs.

Third-choice keeper Fraser Forster, 38, has not featured for Bournemouth since signing a six-month deal in January.

For more on Bournemouth, head to our club page

Brentford boss Keith Andrews can avoid having to replace a considerable amount of Premier League experience this summer by triggering a trio of extensions.

Jamaica left-back Rico Henry, 28, has turned in some sparkling displays in the Bees' push for Europe and the club have an option to extend his stay for an additional year, as they do with midfielders Mathias Jensen, 30, and Josh Dasilva, 27, who was given a short-term deal in October as he recovers from three injury-ravaged seasons.

For more on Brentford, head to our club page

Brighton stand to lose a huge amount of top-flight know-how this summer.

James Milner, 40, now the leading appearance maker in Premier League history, is undecided about his future but remains influential.

Defenders Adam Webster, 31, and Joel Veltman, 34, could also become free agents. Webster, sidelined with a serious ACL injury since July 2025, has spoken publicly about wanting to stay.

Winger Solly March, 31, another long-serving player beset by serious knee injuries, has struggled for game time in the past three campaigns.

Lewis Dunk's contract was due to be up this summer, but BBC Sport understands the 34-year-old has triggered a one-year extension.

For more on Brighton, head to our club page

Burnley's relegation to the Championship will be confirmed if they lose to Manchester City on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, 37, has played every minute of this league campaign and the Slovakian's experience could prove invaluable in the second tier.

World Cup-bound DR Congo defender Axel Tuanzebe, 28, and veteran striker Ashley Barnes, 36, a bit-part player in his second spell at the club, could also become free agents in June, along with third-choice keeper Vaclav Hladky, 35.

The Clarets have an option to extend the contract of versatile midfielder Josh Laurent, 30, for another year.

For more on Burnley, head to our club page

Head coach Oliver Glasner has confirmed he will depart this summer, so Palace's hierarchy will have to decide on the futures of three of their 2024-25 FA Cup winners.

Japan's Daichi Kamada, 29, and Colombia's Jefferson Lerma, 31, have played regularly in midfield this season but both face becoming unattached midway through the World Cup, although the Eagles have a one-year option on Lerma.

Ex-England defender Nathaniel Clyne, 35, in his second spell at Selhurst Park, has been used sparingly this term.

For more on Crystal Palace, head to our club page

David Moyes has the option to extend Idrissa Gueye's contract by 12 months and given the 36-year-old Senegal midfielder's recent performances, it would seem a prudent move.

Ukraine's Vitalii Mykolenko, 26, is another understood to have an option for a one-year extension, while his defensive colleague Michael Keane, 33, has been in fine form as he fights for his future.

Club captain Seamus Coleman, 37, has played just 11 Premier League minutes in what is the Irishman's 17th first-team season. Tyler Onyango, 23, picked up a hamstring injury in his second loan spell at Stockport County and seems likely to become a free agent.

For more on Everton, head to our club page

Harry Wilson, 29, may have missed out on a third major tournament with Wales, but the attacking midfielder has been one of the league's most eye-catching players this season.

The Cottagers' top scorer nearly joined Leeds United on deadline day last summer, but - with 10 goals and six assists this campaign - clubs nearer the top of the division may come calling.

Manager Marco Silva, himself out of contract, has the option of a one-year extension for left-back Ryan Sessegnon, 25, while forward Raul Jimenez, 34, has scored nine goals before a World Cup campaign with co-hosts Mexico.

Fulham also retain one-year options on midfielder Luke Harris, 21, currently on loan at Wycombe Wanderers, and goalkeeper Steven Benda, 27, on loan at Feyenoord.

For more on Fulham, head to our club page

Back-to-back wins mean it looks increasingly likely Leeds will avoid the drop, so boss Daniel Farke will have to tie up a few loose ends with his goalkeepers.

Karl Darlow, 35, is currently the Whites' starting keeper, but the Welshman's deal is up in June, as are those of back-ups Illan Meslier, 26, and Alex Cairns, 33.

Right-back Sam Byram, 32, has made just one brief league appearance this term and seems likely to leave Elland Road for a second time.

For more on Leeds, head to our club page

France centre-back Ibrahima Konate, who won the title with the Reds last season, is one of the most prized players on this list. After Sunday's Merseyside derby, the 26-year-old told the BBC an agreement on a new deal was "close".

Andy Robertson, 32, has won two league titles and the Champions League since joining in 2017, but will leave this summer. BBC Sport understands Tottenham are in advanced talks with the Scotland left-back, who they tried to sign in January.

Contracts are also up for defender Rhys Williams, 25, and third-choice keeper Freddie Woodman, 29, who made his first Premier League appearance for the club as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Everton.

For more on Liverpool, head to our club page

Club legend and captain Bernardo Silva, 31, will bring the curtain down on a glorious career at Etihad Stadium this summer having won 18 trophies - so far - in nine seasons. The Portugal playmaker remains a class act and will not be short of offers.

Another mainstay of City's recent success, England centre-back John Stones, could also be leaving. A thigh problem kept the former Everton man, 31, out of action for nine weeks and Pep Guardiola's options in defence mean he has started just one league game since August.

For more on Manchester City, head to our club page

Having found form and netted four goals since announcing in January he would leave this summer, there were some calls for United to reconsider the future of Brazil midfielder Casemiro, 34, but that ship has sailed.

Netherlands left-back Tyrell Malacia and England winger Jadon Sancho, both 26, look set to depart Old Trafford. The Red Devils are unlikely to exercise a one-year option on Sancho, who has spent this season on loan at Aston Villa.

Veteran third-choice keeper Tom Heaton, 40, is also out of contract.

For more on Manchester United, head to our club page

Winger Adama Traore, 30, has been used exclusively as a second-half substitute since joining on a short-term deal from Fulham in January, but the club do have an option to extend.

The Hammers were poised to terminate the contract of ex-England striker Callum Wilson, 34, before he scored a late winner against Tottenham in January. His future now is unclear.

Former Poland goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, 41, has missed most of the season with a back injury and is yet to hold talks about an extension.

For more on West Ham, head to our club page

There is plenty of talent in Europe and beyond for English clubs to cast their eye over.

Robert Lewandowski may be 37 but the evergreen Poland striker is still a class act and Barcelona are yet to confirm if he will stay beyond the summer. Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic, 26, currently out with a calf problem, has 90 Serie A goals to his name and the Serb's contract talks seem to have stalled.

Germany winger Julian Brandt, 29, is leaving Borussia Dortmund having made more than 300 appearances, while his compatriot Leon Goretzka, 31, is ending his stay at Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich.

Spain right-back Oscar Mingueza, 26, is yet to sign new terms at Celta Vigo, Morocco left-back Souffian El Karouani, 25, has an impressive 16 assists for Utrecht this season, while former Chelsea centre-back Malang Saar, 27, is out of contract at Ligue 1 title challengers Lens this season, although the French club have a one-year option.

Other former Premier League stars who may find themselves looking for a new club include Saar's Lens team-mate Allan Saint-Maximin, 29, Al-Ittihad's Brazil midfielder Fabinho, 32, and Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger, 33, although reports in Spain indicate the German will sign a one-year extension.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

Additional reporting by Shamoon Hafez, Alex Howell, Nizaar Kinsella, Nick Mashiter and Simon Stone

West Ham's draw against Crystal Palace on Monday night, means it is essentially 'as you were' in the battle against relegation, with Tottenham still two points from safety as they fight to avoid a first top-flight demotion since 1977.

Leeds and Nottingham Forest were the two big winners from the latest round of fixtures as both claimed big home wins to move eight and five points from the drop zone, respectively.

For Daniel Farke's Leeds side, that might prove to be enough and they will hope they soon find themselves excluded from the relegation conversation.

But, with Wolves now gone and Burnley set to follow, there is still work for all four sides to do in the coming weeks.

But for all De Zerbi's faith in his players' capabilities, the evidence of this season does not suggest a team capable of winning five on the bounce.

Spurs have not won any of their past 15 league games, meaning they are without a top-flight victory in 2026 and have managed only two since 26 October.

They must beat bottom side Wolves on Saturday to avoid equalling the club's worst-ever winless league run - set some 91 years ago, between 1934 and 1935.

Leeds have won back-to-back games to move to the brink of safety, Forest have two wins in their past three games and are unbeaten in five and West Ham have won two of their past five.

Zoom out a little further and the Hammers have taken 19 points from their past 12 games, Forest have 18 from their past 13 and for Leeds it's 18 from 14.

Since beating Palace on 28 December, Spurs have taken six points from 15 matches.

With five games remaining, Spurs will definitely think their run-in, at least on paper, gives them every chance of staying up.

Next up is a trip to Wolves, whose relegation to the Championship was confirmed on Monday night.

A home match against Leeds on 11 May is another Tottenham will view as an opportunity, especially if Daniel Farke's side have beaten Burnley at Elland Road in their previous game and essentially ensured their safety.

Even a tricky looking match at Champions League-chasing Aston Villa on 3 May comes at a good time for Spurs, as it falls between the two legs of the Europa League semi-final for Unai Emery's men.

A visit to rivals Chelsea before hosting Everton on the final day is not a straightforward way to finish given both teams seem likely to be fighting for European places.

But given how tight things are, that is something all the relegation candidates will have to deal with.

West Ham host Everton on Saturday before an away game at Brentford - and it only gets tougher with title-chasing Arsenal the visitors to London Stadium on 10 May.

Even with Newcastle enduring a disappointing season, an away game at St James' Park on the penultimate weekend is far from simple and there could be plenty riding on the home match against Leeds on the last day.

Forest arguably face the toughest last five with away games at Chelsea and Manchester United in May - the former coming just three days before the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Villa.

Home games against Newcastle and Bournemouth, on the last day, could be crucial but getting a result at Sunderland on Friday would help alleviate a lot of stress for Vitor Pereira's side before the remainder of the run-in.

Read Sam's whole relegation debrief here

From anguish on Saturday evening to some sort of relief on Monday.

It has been a trying season for Tottenham fans but after seeing their side concede a late equaliser at home to Brighton, they can at least taken some comfort from West Ham's failure to take full advantage at Crystal Palace.

The Hammers' draw at Selhurst Park means it is essentially 'as you were' with Spurs still two points from safety as they fight to avoid a first top-flight relegation since 1977.

"It will go all the way, for sure. Not only at the bottom of the table but at the top," West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo told BBC Match of the Day.

"This season has been very tight. We don't make points, we play games. We have a mission ahead and keep going."

Leeds and Nottingham Forest were the two big winners from the latest round of fixtures as both claimed big home wins to move eight and five points from the drop zone, respectively.

For Daniel Farke's side, that might prove to be enough and they will hope they soon find themselves excluded from the relegation conversation.

But, with Wolves now gone and Burnley set to follow, there is still work for all four sides to do in the coming weeks.

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi was bullish about his side's chances of staying up after their draw with Brighton on Saturday, claiming his side is "able to win five games in a row" to end the season.

But for all De Zerbi's faith in his players' capabilities, the evidence of this season does not suggest a team capable of winning five on the bounce.

Spurs have not won any of their past 15 league game, meaning they are without a top-flight victory in 2026 and have managed only two since 26 October.

They must beat bottom side Wolves on Saturday to avoid equalling the club's worst-ever winless league run - set some 91 years ago, between 1934 and 1935.

Leeds have won back-to-back games to move to the brink of safety, Nottingham Forest have two wins in their past three games and are unbeaten in five and West Ham have won two of their past five.

Zoom out a little further and the Hammers have taken 19 points from their past 12 games, Forest have 18 from their past 13 and for Leeds it's 18 from 14.

Since beating Crystal Palace on 28 December, Spurs have taken six points from 15 matches.

Every year when the fixtures are announced you hear the familiar refrain that "it doesn't matter, you play everyone twice".

But there is no doubt that when you face a certain team can make a big difference across a 10-month campaign.

With five games remaining, Spurs will definitely think their run-in, at least on paper, gives them every chance of staying up.

Next up is a trip to Wolves, who have long since been looking ahead to Championship football next week.

A home match against Leeds on 11 May is another they would view as an opportunity, especially if Daniel Farke's side have beaten Burnley at Elland Road in their previous game and essentially ensured their safety.

Even a tricky looking away match at Champions League-chasing Aston Villa on 3 May comes at a good time for Spurs, as it falls between the two legs of the Europa League semi-final for Unai Emery's men.

A visit to rivals Chelsea before hosting Everton on the final day is not straightforward way to finish given both teams seem likely to be fighting for the European places.

But given how tight things are, that is something all the relegation candidates with have to deal with.

West Ham host Everton on Saturday before an away game at Brentford - and it only gets tougher with title-chasing Arsenal the visitors to the London Stadium on 10 May.

Even with Newcastle enduring a disappointing season, an away game at St James' Park on the penultimate weekend is far from simple and there could be plenty riding on the home match against Leeds on the last day.

Forest arguably face the toughest last five with away games at Chelsea and Manchester United in May - the former coming just three days before the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Villa.

Home games against Newcastle and Bournemouth, on the last day, could be crucial but getting a result at Sunderland on Friday would help alleviate a lot of stress for Vitor Pereira's side before the remainder of the run-in.

It is 49 years since Spurs found themselves in the relegation zone after 33 league games and in that 1976-77 season they were unable to save themselves.

Given that only Sheffield Wednesday, already relegated from the Championship, have a worse home record than Spurs's two wins in the English football league this term, significant improvements will be required.

The numbers don't get anymore encouraging for De Zerbi's side with only Derby (18) in 2007-08 and Sunderland (17) in 2002-03 having longer winless runs to start a calendar year than Spurs' current streak of 15 - and both were relegated that year.

Leeds and Forest can take some comfort from the fact that 36 points has been enough to survive in every Premier League season since 2015-16.

Even more encouragingly for the Whites, only six teams have ever been relegated with 39 points or more in a 38-game season and not in the past 14 seasons since Birmingham and Blackpool both went down on 39 points.

This year might be one in which the traditional claim of 40 points being required for safety proves true but West Ham know that sometimes even that is not enough.

The Hammers hold the unwanted record of the most points achieved by a relegated side - the 42 they mustered in 2002-03 was not enough to spare them from the drop.

Harry, Manchester: To me Leeds are no longer in the conversation. Forest are hitting form at the right time too. It's got to be between Spurs and West Ham. And honestly, I'm not seeing this 'fight' we'd usually see from relegation candidates in Spurs. West Ham look motivated, so I'm saying Spurs.

Martin, North Yorkshire: Tottenham most likely to get relegated, but West Ham's poor goal difference could still prove to be a factor.

Dougal, Liverpool: West Ham has the trickier run-in, but the benefit of momentum. De Zerbi is having an impact, but is it too late? I think so.

Ron, Stoke: Morgan Gibbs-White and Jarrod Bowen are key to Forest and Hammers staying up but there no one obvious is stepping up at Spurs so for me they join Burnley and Wolves.

Tyler, London: Tottenham are at the disadvantage with practically no momentum! As a West Ham fan, I'd like to say we're going to stay up. Forest are still in it but with those four points ahead it's looking good for them.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Tottenham fans

Paul: Lifelong Spurs fan and I haven't seen us be this bad in almost 50 years of watching us. And I've seen some awful Spurs performances in that time. We're definitely getting relegated and we completely deserve it. I wouldn't be surprised if we get relegated from the Championship next season either. We won't even be able to celebrate Arsenal bottling the league again this year.

Jello: It was better, but still such a Tottenham performance to concede at the death. The two points dropped could end up costing a few hundred million. Lastly, Xavi Simons, save the tears for the dressing room. It's pathetic to see our players bawling on the pitch, you're a highly paid professional and a part of why we're in this calamity. Roberto De Zerbi was right to say he doesn't want to see our players crying. We need steely determination and granite resolve for the next five matches.

Scott: Pedro Porro is a liability. Celebrating, like he's good at his job. He's a defender and missed an almost open goal. If he could just stay in position, Spurs would be a mid-table team. If he could tackle, we'd push towards Europe.

Bob: We deserve to go down after watching another lacklustre performance. Players already look like they have given up. We look like a Championship team already.

Brighton fans

Brian: A solid, if not spectacular, performance with good contributions from the bench. Given all the noise and expectation around Roberto De Zerbi I think it's a satisfactory result. Now for Tuesday and three points against Chelsea!

Michael: Fantastic, but we should have won. So many chances, but wow, what a team. The first goal was probably one of the best all season, but because they are not a "big club" it gets overlooked.

Maggie: Spurs think they should have won. Really? I don't think so. Spurs were outplayed and out-thought for most of the game. The only reason we don't have all three points is Bart Verbruggen and his poor playmaking. He twice passed Jan Paul van Hecke into trouble for the first goal before he mistimed his punch. Then, he did it again for the second. Shocking. Oh and he nearly gifted Conor Gallagher a goal dallying with the ball. For his 100th game he had a nightmare. Clear. Your. Lines. First rule of defending.

Former Tottenham midfielder Andy Reid says Saturday's draw with Brighton will be a "tough blow" for the players after conceding an equaliser in the 95th-minute, but there are "shoots of positivity" to take from the overall performance.

"The crowd brought a good degree of atmosphere to the stadium that I haven't seen for a bit and the players fed off that," said Reid on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"It seemed like they were less bothered about possession - which is what Roberto de Zerbi has always been known for - but the performance had a good tempo and intensity.

"They pressed Brighton really high up the pitch and Dominic Solanke was the catalyst for that. They were in the game and the crowd was with them.

"When Xavi Simons scored Spurs' second goal the place erupted and the atmosphere was as good as I've seen it at the new stadium. At this point, you're thinking that this could be the start of something good, but then the Georginio Rutter goal goes in and the life is sucked out of the place again.

"It wasn't toxic in that there was any booing, but it went flat.

"It is a tough blow for them to take but there were shoots of positivity."

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.