The Independent

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi is holding onto the belief that a single victory can dramatically alter the course of his side’s season, even as he grapples with a mounting injury crisis ahead of Saturday’s crucial trip to already-relegated Wolves.

Spurs remain entrenched in the Premier League’s bottom three for another week, two points adrift of safety, following a late equaliser conceded in their 2-2 draw against Brighton last Saturday.

This result extended their winless run in the top flight to a concerning 15 matches, intensifying the pressure on the club to avoid a catastrophic relegation, their first since 1977.

De Zerbi’s challenge is compounded by significant personnel issues. Left-back Destiny Udogie is sidelined with a muscle problem, while first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario remains unavailable after hernia surgery, meaning Antonin Kinsky will continue to deputise between the posts.

Midfield playmaker James Maddison, though travelling with the squad, is not expected to contribute significantly after being an unused substitute against Brighton, casting further doubt on his immediate impact.

Despite the bleak outlook, De Zerbi urged his team to play without undue pressure.

"It’s a tough game because they have nothing to lose," he stated. "It’s an important game for us, for sure, but we have to be able to play with not too much pressure."

He defended his squad against external criticism, adding: "I found good players, good guys, serious players and they follow me. They believe in my words because I am able to recognise the eyes of the players."

“We are suffering, they are suffering because it is not easy to play in Tottenham in this condition of the table, but I said they have to be stronger and they have to live to win a game.

"We have to live every part of the day waiting for a win and preparing for a win because I think with a win we can change this part of the season."

It was revealed on Friday that Sunderland forward Brian Brobbey should have received a second yellow card for a foul on Spurs captain Cristian Romero during De Zerbi’s debut loss in charge.

"Can we play that game again or not? I think not," De Zerbi remarked. "It was clear but no problem. We have to move on."

Kevin Danso is set to start again for Tottenham, and De Zerbi spoke out strongly against the racist abuse the defender endured following his error against Brighton.

"I was very annoyed by the racist insults towards Kevin, but he has to be calm. I’m proud for him," the manager affirmed.

Regarding Maddison’s presence, De Zerbi clarified his role despite fitness concerns.

"He is not available yet, especially in this week. He felt pain but not so important problem," he explained.

"Tomorrow he will come with us on the bench because he is important. If he plays or not, it doesn’t matter. As a guy, as a leader, he is a positive guy. Inside of my dressing room I want to see nice people, positive people and this is important also for his team-mates."

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi believes he already has a "special connection" with Xavi Simons after the playmaker starred in Spurs’ 2-2 draw with Brighton on Saturday.

De Zerbi, a former creative midfielder himself during his playing days, told SpursPlay: "He’s lucky to work with me – not because I’m good, because I was number 10. What he thinks now, I thought 20 years ago. So, we have a special connection.

“I have a special connection with all number 10s I work with. I love a number 10. A number 10 has to understand that he has to score and he has to make assists, not just play to be nice to the people – goals and assists."

Simons, a £52million arrival from RB Leipzig last summer, was instrumental against Brighton. He created Pedro Porro's opener, struck the post, and then fired Tottenham back in front with a spectacular 77th-minute strike.

However, Brighton substitute Georginio Rutter snatched a stoppage-time equaliser. He has two goals and five assists in 27 top-flight appearances this term.

De Zerbi has one point from six since replacing Igor Tudor, after starting with a 1-0 loss at Sunderland earlier this month.

Tottenham remain a point from safety, and will be four points behind if West Ham win at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Still seeking a first league win of 2026, Spurs face bottom club Wolves on Saturday.

De Zerbi remains confident in Simons' potential as Tottenham look to avoid the dreaded drop.

"He played very well, a great game," he said. "I think he can play better and better, because a player like this, he needs to feel confidence from the manager and I stay here to transfer all the confidence he needs."

Spurs have five games to secure Premier League survival, and Simon could have a crucial role to play.

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Tottenham defender receives racist abuse after Brighton draw

Andy Sims

Sunday 19 April 2026 11:44 BST

Tottenham Hotspur has strongly condemned the "vile, dehumanising racism" aimed at defender Kevin Danso on social media.

The abuse followed Saturday's 2-2 draw with Brighton, where Danso was implicated in the stoppage-time equaliser that left Spurs in the Premier League relegation zone.

The club has reported the racist abuse to the Metropolitan Police and other relevant authorities, pledging to pursue the strongest possible action against perpetrators.

Tottenham affirmed their "complete and unconditional support" for Danso, saying that performance on the pitch can never excuse or explain racist abuse.

This incident occurred during the Premier League’s dedicated "No Room For Racism" weekend and follows several other recent cases of racist abuse targeting players in English football.

Tottenham Hotspur has issued a strong condemnation of the “vile, dehumanising racism” aimed at defender Kevin Danso, which followed Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Brighton.

The abuse surfaced after Danso was implicated in the concession of Georginio Rutter’s stoppage-time equaliser, a result that left Spurs languishing in the Premier League relegation zone.

The club has confirmed that it has reported the racist abuse, received via social media, to the police.

In a statement, Tottenham said that the incidents occurred during the Premier League’s dedicated “No Room For Racism” weekend.

“Since yesterday’s fixture against Brighton... Kevin Danso has been, and continues to be, subject to significant and abhorrent racist abuse on social media,” the club said.

They labelled such behaviour as “without doubt a criminal offence” and said that it “will not be tolerated”.

Tottenham are pursuing “immediate action”, reporting all identified content to the Metropolitan Police, as well as to the appropriate authorities in the countries where perpetrators reside, and to the relevant social media platforms.

The club have pledged to “push for the strongest possible action against each and every person we identify”.

They also affirmed their “complete and unconditional support” for Danso, stating: “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. Criticism of performances is part of the game. Racism is not.”

In February, an “appalling weekend” rocked English football after four players were subjected to racist abuse on their social media accounts following recent matches.

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri both shared images of racist messages they privately received on Instagram after their teams’ 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare also displayed racially aggravated messages sent to him on Instagram following a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace, a game in which he had a penalty saved.

And last week, Sunderland condemned racist abuse directed towards Brian Brobbey on social media and offered the striker their full support.

Roberto De Zerbi issued a rallying cry to his deflated Tottenham players and insisted they can win their last five Premier League games this season to avoid a catastrophic relegation.

Spurs will spend another week in the bottom three after they suffered heartbreak in a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton when Georginio Rutter’s stoppage-time leveller denied them a first league win of 2026.

A thunderbolt by Xavi Simons after 77 minutes sent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into pandemonium, but the north London club’s winless league run stands at 15 matches after late drama in N17 followed Pedro Porro’s opener being cancelled out by a sumptuous Kaoru Mitoma volley.

Even though Spurs’ players collapsed at full-time, De Zerbi claimed to be more confident of survival after he picked up the first point of his reign against old club Brighton.

West Ham are a point ahead of Tottenham in 17th ahead of Monday’s trip to Crystal Palace, but De Zerbi backed his squad to win their remaining matches with Wolves, Aston Villa, Leeds, Chelsea and Everton to avoid a first relegation since 1977.

“I always thought and believed in the quality of the players,” De Zerbi insisted.

“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, 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.

“Not to be arrogant because I am not arrogant, especially now, but we have the quality enough to fight and win games in a row.”

When De Zerbi was asked how he would lift his players, the Italian fired a warning to any member of the club down in the dumps.

De Zerbi added: “They have to be stronger and be focused longer and come to (the) training ground on Monday afternoon with a smile otherwise they go home.

“I have no time to see negative people or to see sad players or (a) sad assistant. No, we are lucky because we are working at a big club, a big stadium, we are working in Premier League and we have the quality, the right quality to win the game – so we have to be positive. I don’t like the people who cry and who think in (a) negative way.”

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler echoed the sentiments of De Zerbi and backed Spurs to stay up.

“Yeah, definitely. I also could say before the game. What they have is individual quality. I think they have unbelievable players in their squad,” Hurzeler reflected.

“They have players in their frontline that can make a difference. They have enough quality in their squad to make it happen.”

Brighton are ninth and a point behind seventh-placed Brentford in the battle for European qualification.

“In the end it’s a point and a point we will take. It’s a point we can make really positive and that’s our responsibility,” Hurzeler said.

Tottenham remain in the Premier League relegation zone after they were stunned by a stoppage-time leveller from Brighton substitute Georginio Rutter during a pulsating 2-2 draw in Roberto De Zerbi’s home debut.

Spurs looked set to end a 15-match winless in the top-flight when Xavi Simons produced a superb 77th-minute strike to spark wild celebrations.

Xavi’s fine effort followed up his assist for Pedro Porro’s opener after 39 minutes, which was cancelled out by Kaoru Mitoma in first-half stoppage-time.

However, scenes of jubilation turned to disbelief when Kevin Danso lost possession in the fifth minute of time added on and Rutter curled home to ensure the spoils were shared.

It denied De Zerbi’s team a first victory in charge and means Tottenham will stay in the bottom three for another week with only five matches left to prevent a first relegation since 1977.

Spurs had spent a whole week in the relegation zone, but there was an air of positivity in N17 with James Maddison surprisingly named in the matchday squad for the first time this season and Xavi back in the starting line-up.

A sea of white flags welcomed the teams before De Zerbi’s pleasantries with his old players was followed by multiple warnings by the fourth official Ben Toner for walking onto the pitch.

Clear-cut action was limited, but Tottenham had penalty appeals waved away in the 10th-minute after Destiny Udogie tangled with Brighton attacker Yankuba Minteh.

Diego Gomez limped off for the visitors soon after, before Xavi went close with a low effort deflected wide.

Brighton enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure afterwards and Spurs stand-in captain Micky van de Ven smashed a clearance against the post to deny Danny Welbeck after a dangerous Jack Hinshelwood knockdown, before Antonin Kinsky saved Welbeck’s header.

After Tottenham survived, De Zerbi watched the first goal of his era come from Porro. Xavi was central to it with a wonderful clipped cross and Porro stole in to head over Bart Verbruggen.

Two minutes later and it should have been 2-0 when Dominic Solanke passed into Xavi, who cut inside Ferdi Kadioglu but curled the ball against the post from eight yards and Porro’s follow-up was tipped over by Verbruggen.

It would prove costly when Mitoma lashed home on the volley in supreme fashion from an equally impressive Pascal Gross cross.

Hinshelwood headed wide before half-time and Brighton picked up where they left off after the break with Danso forced to clear ahead of Welbeck and then block an effort by Mitoma.

De Zerbi received a caution soon after for going down the touchline again before a raft of substitutes sparked a grand finale.

Joao Palhinha went close after his introduction before Lucas Bergvall marked his entrance with a key role in Xavi’s goal.

Bergvall won back possession from Jan Paul van Hecke and played in Xavi, who made space against Mats Wieffer and curled sumptuously beyond Verbruggen.

Wild scenes in front of the South Stand were followed by a bout of cramp for Xavi, before the late twist in the tale.

Danso wanted too long on the ball inside the area and Van Hecke stole in and teed up Rutter to break Tottenham hearts and prevent the hosts moving out of the bottom three.

Tottenham host Brighton this afternoon knowing that they need to win if they stand any chance of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

It has been a nightmare season for Spurs and could end in horrifying fashion if they cannot find a way to end their win drought and move up the table. They are currently sat 18th, inside the relegation zone, but have not won a league match since a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the end of December.

Roberto de Zerbi has been brought in to be bring stability to the club after both Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor were sacked from the head coach role but his tenure started with a loss to Sunderland after Nordi Mukiele’s second half strike.

Spurs are also up against a strong team in Brighton who entered the weekend in ninth just two points behind sixth placed Chelsea. Sixth is likely to secure European football next year so the Seagulls still have it all to play for and will want to build on their run of victories when they head to London today.

Is Tottenham v Brighton on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch Premier League fixture  The Independent

Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury, a significant blow for manager Roberto De Zerbi as his side battles to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Romero sustained the injury during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, De Zerbi’s first match in charge, meaning the defender will miss the final six fixtures of what has been a challenging campaign for the north London club. Tottenham currently sit in the relegation zone, in 18th place.

In an effort to foster team cohesion and boost morale ahead of a critical final stretch, De Zerbi took his squad for a meal in Mayfair this week, prior to Saturday’s home clash against his former club, Brighton.

"Yes, I don’t know if we win the game for dinner. I know we eat very well. The food was amazing and if we win, I am ready to pay every week for one dinner," De Zerbi remarked with a smile.

He stressed the importance of unity, adding: "We have to build and find in these last weeks the best relationship we can find, and I want to see on the pitch players helping their team-mates and pushing everybody for one target and to achieve our big, big target for us. If we don’t achieve our target, everybody will lose something in their career."

Despite the club’s precarious position, De Zerbi remains optimistic about their chances of survival.

"I am positive, I am ready to fight and I believe to keep Premier League (status). I believe in my words that I said last week. The focus is to win one game," he stated.

"Yes, I think it is crucial to win a game not just for the table. Of course one part of the table for sure, but we have to feel again what is nice to win a game and what it can do. I have no doubts about the quality of the players."

While De Zerbi did not confirm who would inherit the captain’s armband, he did provide an update on other key players.

Rodrigo Bentancur is available for Saturday’s crucial fixture after a three-month absence due to a hamstring injury, and Yves Bissouma is "100 per cent fit" after being an unused substitute against Sunderland. However, first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario remains sidelined following minor hernia surgery last month.

"Bentancur is available to play. I don’t know if to start or not. Bissouma is available 100 per cent. Vicario, no," De Zerbi explained.

Expressing sympathy for his injured captain, he added: "Romero, I am really sorry for him and his injury. Romero first of all loves Tottenham and the people have to know he is suffering for this injury and because he cant play any more for us this season, but he’s a great captain for us.

“We have to be any way positive. We have Radu Dragusin and Kevin, they are able to play and able to play well. We can win any way and we want to win any way."

James Maddison, who suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in pre-season, participated in first-team training this week, but De Zerbi remained cautious about his immediate return.

"Maddison is a top player on the pitch with the ball, but also as a personality, as a character, as a mentality on the pitch," the Italian said. "I don’t know yet. I don’t want to push too much because we lost (Mohammed) Kudus in this way."

Tottenham Hotspur are facing an uphill battle for Premier League survival, with pundit Gary Neville branding their squad a "concoction of misfits" with "a set of ingredients that don’t go together".

Spurs languish in 18th place, two points adrift of safety after failing to win a single league game in 2026.

Tottenham’s precarious position was underscored by results elsewhere: Leeds United’s 2-1 win over 10-man Manchester United on Monday night moved them six points clear. West Ham thumped Wolves 4-0 on Friday, hauling themselves out of the bottom three, while Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Aston Villa on Sunday.

These outcomes contrasted sharply with Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat at Sunderland in Roberto De Zerbi’s first game on Sunday.

Former United and England defender Neville believes Leeds’ performance at Old Trafford showed how far Spurs are from a team capable of securing top-flight survival.

"In the first half, they (Leeds) were absolutely wonderful. That is a performance I don’t think Tottenham are capable of – and that is the scary thing for Tottenham," Neville said on his podcast for Sky Sports.

He continued: "Not the six points by the way that Leeds have gone clear of them, but the actual performance levels they put in. They (Tottenham) are nowhere near that."

Neville added: "You watch Spurs against Sunderland and it is a set of ingredients that don’t go together, a concoction of misfits, yet you watch Leeds and there is a balance and a flow."

Adding to Tottenham’s mounting problems is the likely absence of captain Cristian Romero. The Argentina defender fought back tears as he hobbled off at the Stadium of Light, injured in a collision with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Reports suggest Romero – who was pictured on social media on Sunday with a bandaged right knee – is set to miss the rest of the season.

Manager De Zerbi acknowledged he is a "crucial player for us" and said the injury needed proper assessment. Tottenham have yet to comment on the timescale for his recovery.

Tottenham – two points below West Ham – must now regroup for Saturday’s visit of Brighton, when they are expected to be without their influential captain.