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Roberto De Zerbi refused to discuss Tottenham's late penalty claim in a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea and instead urged the relegation-threatened club to channel energy into Sunday’s "final" with Everton.

Spurs remain 17th and only two points above the Premier League bottom three after they squandered the chance to secure survival with a potentially costly loss at Stamford Bridge where Enzo Fernandes inspired derby delight.

Fernandez smashed in a 30-yard opener in the 18th-minute before he teed up Andrey Santos with 67 on the clock, but Richarlison provided a lifeline for the visitors with 16 minutes left.

A controversial finish occurred after Spurs captain Micky van de Ven was dragged to the floor by Marc Cucurella from a corner and even though the Chelsea full-back was issued a caution, referee Stuart Attwell ordered the set-piece to be retaken with the ball deemed not to be in play.

It infuriated Tottenham players and despite plenty of late pressure, they failed to force an equaliser and face a final-day decider at home to Everton, which De Zerbi has called more important than last season’s Europa League triumph over Manchester United.

De Zerbi said: "My focus is to prepare the next game and to make points, because Sunday is the final for Tottenham. Not Bilbao against Man Utd.

"The most important game is Sunday, because last season they played for the trophy. Now we play for something more important than the trophy, because the pride, the history of the club, the dignity are more important than the trophy.

"The trophy you can win, you can lose, nothing changes in your life. You can have one trophy more, but the most important is to keep the dignity, to keep the pride, to go on holiday like this [head up], and not like this [head down]."

After Chelsea edged a tight first half which lacked quality, De Zerbi had a triple substitution prepared when Randal Kolo Muani passed behind Rodrigo Bentancur to leave the Spurs defence exposed and Pedro Neto crossed in for Fernandez to tee up Santos to score on the turn.

Tottenham rallied when Richarlison fired in after a Pape Sarr back heel and after Maddison was denied by a superb last-ditch tackle from Jorrel Hato, the resulting corner was cut short when referee Attwell blew his whistle and cautioned Cucurella for hauling Van de Ven to the floor.

However, Attwell did not point to the spot and instead called for the corner to be retaken.

A post on X by Premier League Match Centre read: "The referee’s call of no penalty to Tottenham Hotspur was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that the action from Cucurella had ended before the ball was in play."

Images quickly emerged on social media which appeared to suggest the ball had been in play, but De Zerbi twice side-stepped the topic.

"It’s not my business now," De Zerbi insisted.

"Today we can speak about what you want, but we lose focus and we lose energy. My focus is to stay on the pitch.

"We have to stay alive but anyway, (Sunday) is a big day for us."

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane praised his energy-sapped team after the quick turnaround to Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

"Good to get the win," McFarlane reflected.

"It was obvious from minute one we didn’t at times have the energy and intensity we needed. It was always going to be tough after the cup final.

"It was obviously Spurs would get more energy and we just needed to dig in for the result at the end."

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Tottenham forward Mathys Tel went from hero to zero after he gave away a reckless penalty following his opener in a 1-1 draw with Leeds to leave his team mired in relegation trouble.

Arsenal's controversial 1-0 victory at 18th-placed West Ham on Sunday provided a pre-match boost for both clubs and Spurs were set to go four points clear of the relegation zone when Tel produced a wonderful 50th-minute opener.

It was followed by a moment of madness from the young forward after Tel caught Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu in the face with an overhead kick clearance after 69 minutes.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin emphatically converted the spot-kick to set up a grandstand finish where Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi turned to James Maddison, who made his first competitive appearance in 12 months after a serious knee injury.

There would be no winning goal, though, after Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky thwarted Sean Longstaff’s powerful stoppage-time strike before a late penalty appeal for Lukas Nmecha’s tackle on Maddison was turned down to leave Tottenham only two points above the bottom three.

A dramatic finale at London Stadium on Sunday benefited both Tottenham and Leeds, with the visitors able to kick-off with another season in the Premier League guaranteed.

Spurs still required points and despite a raucous welcome a disjointed start followed, with nervous energy increased by Tel's unnecessary lobbed pass across the face of his own penalty area.

Kinsky was called into action with 21 minutes played when Leeds forward Brenden Aaronson picked out ex-home defender Joe Rodon, but his header was brilliantly stopped on the goal-line by the keeper.

With De Zerbi constantly issuing instructions on the touchline, Spurs sparked into life, with Tel able to squeeze between two defenders before his shot was deflected over.

Richarlison tested Karl Darlow next before the Leeds goalkeeper was penalised for holding onto the ball too long, but Pedro Porro and Conor Gallagher could not fire on target from the resulting corner.

Joao Palhinha lifted over shortly afterwards before Rodrigo Bentancur headed wide, but Leeds finished the half strongly when Ao Tanaka sliced off target before Tottenham survived a penalty shout for Destiny Udogie’s collision with Calvert-Lewin, who was crucially ruled offside.

Spurs built on that close call and a moment of magic from Tel provided the breakthrough in the 50th minute.

Porro’s corner was cleared out to Tel, who took a touch and produced a wonderful curled finish into the top corner for his fourth goal of the campaign.

It should have been 2-0 when Randal Kolo Muani got in behind and teed up Richarlison, but he blazed over.

Daniel Farke reacted with Nmecha and Wilfried Gnonto sent on and with 21 minutes left, Leeds received a gift of a spot-kick from Tottenham scorer Tel.

After Spurs dealt with the initial ball into the area, Tel’s attempted acrobatic clearance caught the face of Ampadu and even though referee Jarred Gillett waved play on, a penalty was awarded after a lengthy VAR check and pitchside monitor review.

Calvert-Lewin drilled into the bottom corner for his 14th goal of an excellent season to bring Tottenham right back into a survival battle.

De Zerbi turned to his bench and introduced Maddison with five minutes left, but during a frantic period of stoppage time, Kinsky brilliantly thwarted Longstaff before Maddison had strong penalty appeals waved away after a coming together with Nmecha to ensure the spoils were shared.

Tottenham looked like a team destined to secure Premier League survival after they beat a dire Aston Villa 2-1 to move out of the bottom three.

Spurs put in their best performance of the season to claim three crucial points at Villa Park, thanks to first-half goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison.

They look a different side under Roberto De Zerbi, registering back-to-back league victories for the first time since August, and are now favourites to beat the drop.

The north London club leapfrogged West Ham in the table and with a home game to come against Leeds, after the Hammers host Arsenal, their position could be even rosier next week

Callum Wilson grabbed a priceless stoppage-time winner as West Ham kept their heads above the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory over Everton, as Tottenham Hotspur dug out a massive win of their own at Wolves.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's late equaliser, which cancelled out Tomas Soucek's header, looked to have swung the survival battle Spurs' way moments after they had taken the lead at Molineux.

It was a goal which briefly dropped West Ham below Spurs and back into the bottom three.

But substitute Wilson, who had scored eight goals in his previous seven appearances against Everton, struck two minutes into time added on to keep the Hammers two places above their London rivals.

It was a hammer blow for David Moyes, making his first return to the London Stadium since he left two summers ago and on his 63rd birthday.

The reunion brought up his 750th match as a Premier League boss, but their bid to qualify for Europe took a dent with a dramatic late defeat.

Meanwhile Joao Palhinha's 82nd-minute tap-in earned Tottenham a first Premier League win of 2026 but they remain in the relegation zone.

Spurs looked set for a painful afternoon at Molineux after Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons were forced off due to injury until Roberto De Zerbi watched Palhinha slide in at the back post from a scuffed

Richarlison shot to secure a first league success in 16 matches.

It momentarily took Tottenham out of the bottom three, but that late winner for West Ham has kept the gap to two points with only four games left.

Roberto De Zerbi believes one victory can change the course of Tottenham's season – but he will be without more key personnel for Saturday’s crucial trip to already-relegated Wolves.

Spurs have spent another week in the bottom three after they conceded a last-gasp equaliser at home to Brighton in a 2-2 draw to extend their winless run in the Premier League to 15 matches.

Tottenham are two points from safety after 17th-placed West Ham shared the spoils with Crystal Palace on Monday, but De Zerbi retains faith they can avoid a catastrophic first relegation since 1977 before they head to Molineux.

De Zerbi has lost left-back Destiny Udogie due to a muscle problem and Guglielmo Vicario is still not available after hernia surgery, which means Antonin Kinsky will deputise in goal again.

James Maddison was an unused substitute against Brighton and even though he is set to travel to Wolverhampton, the playmaker does not appear ready to contribute but De Zerbi urged his team to play without pressure.

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

"Sometimes when one team is losing too many games the rumours are not nice and behaviour and the people speak about not too much serious players, but no, it is not like this in this case.

"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 (below) on Spurs captain Cristian Romero during De Zerbi’s debut loss in charge.

De Zerbi said: "Can we play that game again or not? I think not.

"It was clear but no problem. We have to move on."

Kevin Danso will start again for Tottenham against the club he almost joined last January and De Zerbi spoke out against the racist abuse suffered by the defender after his mistake against Brighton.

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

Maddison will travel to Molineux after a surprise spot on the bench, but De Zerbi cast doubt about his involvement.

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

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Tottenham have condemned the "vile, dehumanising racism" aimed at defender Kevin Danso following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Brighton.

Danso was at fault for Georginio Rutter’s stoppage-time equaliser which left Spurs languishing in the relegation zone.

The club say they have reported racist abuse towards the Austria centre-back on social media to the police.

"Since yesterday’s fixture against Brighton, which took place during the Premier League’s No Room For Racism weekend, Kevin Danso has been, and continues to be, subject to significant and abhorrent racist abuse on social media," Spurs said in a club statement.

"We have heard and seen vile, dehumanising racism. Behaviour that is without doubt a criminal offence. It will not be tolerated.

"The club is taking immediate action. We are reporting all identified content to the Metropolitan Police and to the appropriate authorities in the country where perpetrators reside, as well as to relevant social media platforms.

"We will push for the strongest possible action against each and every person we identify.

"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.

"Criticism of performances is part of the game. Racism is not."

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.

Roberto De Zerbi's first game in charge of Tottenham Hotspur ended in defeat after they were beaten 1-0 by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Italian took over from Igor Tudor, who left north London last month, and Spurs entered the contest in the Premier League relegation zone after West Ham beat Wolves on Friday.

An open first half saw Spurs have a penalty decision overturned in the 21st minute and both teams enjoy opportunities, with Brian Brobbey, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke all going close.

However, Sunderland took the lead 11 minutes into the second half through Nordi Mukiele’s deflected strike, which proved to be enough as Regis Le Bris’ side clinched back-to-back league wins.

Defeat leaves Spurs languishing two points adrift in the drop zone with six games left to play, still searching for their first Premier League win of 2026.

Nottingham Forest earned a vital point in their quest for safety after a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at the City Ground.

Neco Williams' goal seven minutes before the break cancelled out Murillo’s earlier own goal to make it four games unbeaten for Vitor Pereira’s side.

The draw means they are three points clear of the drop zone with six games to go.

Villa, who strengthened their Champions League qualification hopes, will rue a string of missed chances, with Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins both going close.

But both sides will respect the point after midweek away trips in the Europa League and this match could serve as a dress rehearsal for a two-legged semi-final in a few weeks.

Jean-Philippe Mateta's penalty in the fourth minute of stoppage time snatched a 2-1 victory for Crystal Palace against Newcastle, who saw their European qualification hopes suffered a fresh blow.

Mateta had earlier stepped off the bench to cancel out William Osula’s opener at Selhurst Park before the Frenchman’s late spot-kick earned the Eagles just their second home win in the Premier League since November.

A much-changed Newcastle were unable to put their Tyne-Wear derby disappointment from three weeks ago behind them as they remained five points behind seventh-placed Brentford.

Tottenham's senior players have been urged to follow the example of Archie Gray if the club are to avoid a first relegation in 49 years.

Spurs are 17th after a 13-match winless run in the Premier League and with seven games left have turned to Roberto De Zerbi in a bid to retain top-flight status.

During a hugely disappointing season Gray has been a standout performer, and David Howells – who helped Tottenham avoid relegation twice in 1994 and 1997 – believes others must follow the lead of the 20-year-old ahead of Sunday’s trip to Sunderland.

"You definitely would hope that some of the older players would look across at Archie in the changing room and say, 'look at this young man, he’s stepping up and it’s not fazing him, this is where we all need to be in terms of attitude and performance’.

"Yeah, absolutely he’s been the one consistent shining light," Howells said.

"I thought he was our best player again (against Nottingham Forest). I did say after the game against Atletico Madrid that he looked like an England midfielder, I did because he really looked the part.

"It is a credit to himself because a young lad like that, playing in a team that’s really struggling, he could sink but he’s actually gone the other way and been the best player in most of the games he has played.

"Yeah, massive credit to him and really exciting to see a young player like that at this time thinking about what he could become because the sky’s the limit."

Former St Patrick's Athletic striker Mason Meila scored just three minutes into his first appearance for Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s on Saturday.

Melia knocked home from close range in the 70th minute of his team's Premier League 2 clash against West Ham to make it 2-2. Spurs went on to win the game 3-2.

The 18-year-old linked up with the Premier League giants in January having agreed a five-year deal a year ago. The initial fee of £1.5m (€1.8m) was a record transfer for a League of Ireland player at the time.

It was later eclipsed by Victor Ozhianvuna's switch to Arsenal from Shamrock Rovers when he turns 18 for a guaranteed fee believed to be in the region of €2m. Ozhianvuna will head over to the Gunners in the January 2027 transfer window.

It's taken Melia a bit of time to get on the pitch with his new club as he recovered from a back injury and then a chest infection.

However he got his chance against the Hammers and made a very swift impact.

Spurs' first team are in the middle of a relegation dog fight, with Roberto de Zerbi brought in earlier this week to try and drag them out of toruble. His first game at the helm is away to Sunderland tomorrow week.