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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.

Roberto De Zerbi is set to take on the sizeable task of keeping Tottenham in the Premier League after talks between the parties reached an advanced stage.

Spurs turned attention back to De Zerbi after Igor Tudor's departure on Sunday and, although it is understood the former Brighton boss initially preferred to wait until the summer to assess his options, he looks set to perform a U-turn and take over immediately.

Reports in De Zerbi’s homeland of Italy on Monday morning stated he was now willing to listen to Tottenham’s advances and had a five-year contract offer on the table, which would make the 46-year-old the club’s fourth head coach in the last 10 months.

De Zerbi has been linked with the Spurs vacancy for a number of years, firstly in 2023 and more recently over the last month after Thomas Frank left on 11 February, but a break until the end of the season had been expected after he left Marseille in the same week.

Tottenham therefore turned to Tudor as interim head coach, but his shambolic 44-day reign produced five defeats in seven matches alongside a catalogue of questionable tactical choices and only increased the realistic threat of a first relegation since 1977.

It forced Spurs into one final roll of the dice and, with fans’ favourite Mauricio Pochettino contracted to lead the United States at this summer’s World Cup, De Zerbi has profited from being the best and most viable candidate currently on the market.

Pochettino was asked on Monday if he had received any contact from Tottenham or Real Madrid, and told a press conference: "We have our full focus here on the World Cup.

"I think everyone knows that I am committed with the national team. I think there’s no a point to talk about the future. At the moment no (team) has approached."

First-team coach Bruno Saltor was tasked with taking training for the players not on international duty after Spurs moved on from Tudor on Sunday.

However, it is understood Tottenham expected a new head coach would be hired by the middle of this week to give them 10 days to prepare for the 12 April trip to Sunderland – and that is set to be De Zerbi.

The anticipated appointment will not be universally popular among Spurs fans, with three supporters groups on Friday having called for De Zerbi not to be hired due to his past comments on Marseille forward Mason Greenwood.

Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online.

The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges in February 2023, citing "a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light", which meant there was "no longer a realistic prospect of conviction". Greenwood has since resumed his career and joined Marseille in 2024.

In November, when De Zerbi was Marseille boss, he described Greenwood as a "good guy" and added: "It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described."

Igor Tudor has left his role as Tottenham head coach after seven matches in charge.

Spurs made the surprise decision to turn to Tudor after Thomas Frank was dismissed on 11 February.

Tudor had never managed in the Premier League, but had experience of sparking an upturn in form after mid-season arrivals and yet suffered five defeats from seven games, including four in a row at the start of his reign.

A club statement on Sunday afternoon read: "We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for head coach Igor Tudor to leave the club with immediate effect.

"Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles of goalkeeping coach and physical coach.

"We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly. We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time.

"An update on a new head coach will be provided in due course."

The most recent defeat came at home to Nottingham Forest on 22 March, prior to the international break.

Immediately after that game, the 47-year-old learned his father Mario had died.

Tudor's exit leaves Spurs without a head coach heading into the final seven games of the Premier League season, with the London club just one place and one point above the relegation zone.

Their next match is at Sunderland on 12 April.

Who are the contenders to take over from Tudor (above).

Harry Redknapp

It may seem crazy to turn to a 79-year-old who has been out of work for nine years and is best known recently for being declared 'King of the Jungle’ on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, but ex-Spurs boss Redknapp has repeatedly thrown his hat in the ring.

Redknapp said during the Cheltenham Festival he does not expect to get a call, but would be open to going back and does possess the arm-around-the-shoulder man-management skills that may get the best out of a group of players devoid of confidence.

If surrounded by young and enthusiastic coaches, it could work in the same way Martin O’Neill’s arrival has revitalised Celtic – and Redknapp is only a year older than Roy Hodgson, appointed this week as interim head coach of Championship Bristol City.

Sean Dyche

Ordinarily a club in a relegation fight would turn to firefighter Dyche, who rescued Everton from a sticky situation and initially built up his fine reputation with an outstanding job at Burnley.

Dyche’s more direct style of play has often drawn criticism and is believed to be a key factor in why he left Forest after a short spell, but he has plenty of experience of a survival battle.

Would Tottenham really turn to him, though?

Ange Postecoglou

Perhaps the most obvious solution would be to go back to Postecoglou, especially given this is largely his squad. Despite a difficult 2024-25 campaign, the charismatic Greek-born Australian coach managed to keep the majority of players on side.

A number of the squad were stunned Postecoglou was dismissed after he ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought with Europa League success in Bilbao.

He would instantly demand the respect of the low-on-confidence group but would the hierarchy swallow their pride and bring him back?

Ryan Mason

If going back to Postecoglou would be an admission of a mistake, perhaps Tottenham could turn to one of last season’s coaching staff in Mason.

The majority moved on after Europa League success with Mason taking over West Brom and, while he was sacked in January after a poor run of away form left the Baggies 18th in the Championship, his replacement Eric Ramsay has already been moved on and they remain in relegation trouble.

A boyhood Spurs fan and player who has twice been caretaker before and played a crucial role in the club’s triumph in Bilbao, Mason’s rapport with the squad would make him a viable option.

Glenn Hoddle

Hoddle, one of the greatest footballers in Tottenham’s history, has already made clear he would return to help the club.

Hoddle managed Spurs for three years at the start of the century and has been out of management since 2006, but recently admitted if his old team needed assistance, he would step in.

Hoddle suggested pairing up with Robbie Keane and that would fit the bill for an association with the club, but given his time out of management, would the players listen to the former England boss?

Tottenham Hotspur collapsed amid a white-hot atmosphere to lose 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest and increase fears of a seismic relegation.

It had been a rare positive week for Spurs with a spirited point at Anfield followed by a morale-boosting 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid to ease the pressure on Igor Tudor, but the interim boss is firmly back under the microscope after a potentially pivotal defeat in N17.

After the team bus was greeted with partisan backing outside the ground, Tottenham started on the front foot and hit the crossbar twice during a largely dominant first half, only for Igor Jesus' 45th-minute header to give Vitor Pereira’s team a precious half-time lead.

It was a sucker-punch and further blows followed, with Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White able to finish off a slick move after 62 minutes before substitute Taiwo Awoniyi sent Spurs supporters heading for the exits when he tapped in with three minute left.

Boos followed at full-time following another abject home loss, with Tottenham winless in 13 Premier League matches and down to 17th, only a point above West Ham, but Forest backed up Thursday’s Europa League progression with a crucial victory in the fight for survival.

A raucous atmosphere welcomed the arrival of the home team bus at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with an estimated 10,000 supporters lining the High Road to show their support.

After Kevin Danso beat Jesus to a dangerous cross early on, Tottenham built momentum and Archie Gray picked out Mathys Tel, who cut inside and had a shot deflected behind.

It sparked a spell of pressure, but Richarlison headed wide from Tel’s corner before Spurs hit the bar when a Danso long throw was inadvertently flicked on to the woodwork by Forest forward Jesus in the 16th minute.

Referee Michael Oliver waved away penalty appeals soon after on Pape Sarr and Micky van de Ven, deployed in an unorthodox left-back role.

The next action occurred in the Forest area when Richarlison flashed a ball across goal before the visitors stood firm amid a flurry of home corners.

Forest went close when Jesus knocked on Elliot Anderson’s header and Guglielmo Vicario – playing a day before a hernia operation – tipped over for Tottenham.

However, Jesus won the next battle as Gibbs-White’ corner to the back post was powered home by the Forest forward in first-half stoppage time.

As Spurs fans attempted to rally the team, Tel let fly from 25 yards and forced Metz Selz into a wonderful finger-tip save on to the bar.

VAR ignored penalty appeals by Tottenham captain Cristian Romero and Tudor made a double substitution.

Destiny Udogie and Lucas Bergvall were sent on, but Forest went close to a second when Anderson found Neco Williams, but Vicario saved well.

A wild left-footed effort by Gray was followed by a lack of composure from the hosts and it ended with a second Forest goal.

Callum Hudson-Odoi raced past Pedro Porro and cut the ball back for Gibbs-White to fire through Vicario after 62 minutes.

Tottenham’s problems were compounded when Tel limped off, but Bergvall poked wide an Udogie cross to hint at a possible comeback.

But it was not forthcoming and, after Sarr had a volley blocked, Forest wrapped up a first league victory since 25 January when Awoniyi tapped in Williams’ cross to spark a mass exodus from the stands.

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Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust called for "emergency action" with interim head coach Igor Tudor on the brink after a chaotic 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid.

More records tumbled for Spurs on an extraordinary night where back-up goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky had to be withdrawn after 17 minutes due to two terrible errors.

Defeat made Tudor the first Tottenham boss to lose his first four games in charge.

A shambolic 5-2 loss in the first leg of this last-16 tie also meant Spurs have lost six games in a row for the first time in their history.

Tudor has only been in charge for 25 days, but refused to answer questions about his future and Tottenham have been urged to act.

"Tonight’s performance and result is a total disgrace. It’s symptomatic of the abysmal state of things at Spurs right now," a statement from THST read.

"From the January transfer window to the management appointments, the lack of leadership and the total absence of anyone with a Spurs pedigree informing these decisions. Where is the Daring to Do? Where are the Echoes of Glory?

"Emergency action is needed as right now we are sleepwalking off the edge of a cliff. Being a Spurs fan has never been so difficult but supporters will not sit by and watch the club continue to decline.

"At the very least those in Madrid should have their match tickets refunded. But all we really care about is that the club make us proud. We are here to support the team and be the 12th man. But we all deserve so much more."

Tudor’s bold call to hand Kinsky a first start since October backfired with only six minutes played when he scuffed an attempted crossfield pass and Marcos Llorente subsequently slotted home.

A slip by Micky van de Ven allowed Antoine Griezmann to make it 2-0 in the 14th minute and 92 seconds later Kinsky’s coup de grace occurred.

Van de Ven sent the ball back to Kinsky and he miscued his pass in horror fashion, which allowed Julian Alvarez to walk the ball in.

Kinsky planted his face into the turf and was withdrawn after Tottenham captain Cristian Romero walked over to speak with Tudor.

Asked if Romero made the call to substitute Kinsky, Tudor responded: "My decision of course."

Pushed on if he deserved to carry on, Tudor responded: "No comment.

"It is not a topic for me. It is not about my job, it is about how to help the team. It will be always be about that.

"I recognise what we are and which problems we have. I recognise that every game, something happens. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain."

Spurs showed a semblance of fight after Robin Le Normand made it 4-0 in the 22nd minute, with Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke able to score either side of a second for Alvarez after 55 minutes.

At 5-2 down, Tottenham’s Champions League campaign is all but over but Atletico boss Diego Simeone warned against complacency.

"We never know for sure if we always go through," Simeone insisted.

"I remember the game we lost 3-0 (to Real Madrid) at Bernabeu and then we were back winning and (Karim) Benzema scored a goal and we had a chance to beat them.

"This is the Champions League and it’s made for important players. Of course all these teams have important players."

Tottenham's Champions League campaign is all but over after Antonin Kinsky’s error-strewn display proved the catalyst for a punishing 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid to heighten scrutiny on Igor Tudor.

Tudor hinted he may experiment for the last-16 first leg given Premier League survival was the priority, but his decision to play 22-year-old goalkeeper Kinsky backfired in spectacular fashion.

Kinsky’s scuffed clearance contributed towards Marcos Llorente’s sixth-minute opener and after Micky van de Ven slipped to allow Antoine Griezmann to make it 2-0, a terrible start turned into a nightmare.

Van de Ven passed back to Kinsky and another miscued pass by the Czech keeper allowed Julian Alvarez to walk the ball in, before Tudor replaced the shell-shocked youngster in the 17th minute on a horror 13th appearance for the club.

Spurs went 4-0 down after 22 minutes when Robin Le Normand headed in before some spirit was shown as Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke scored in between another for Alvarez at the start of the second half.

The day had started with Tottenham fans serenading old boss Mauricio Pochettino on a flight to Madrid ahead of being invited to the match by Atletico and concluded with Tudor losing a fourth straight match to put the interim head coach on the brink after only 29 days.

This was Kinsky’s first appearance since October, but before he took centre stage Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak fumbled a cross.

It was a precursor to an extraordinary passage of football.

Kinsky’s first horror moment occurred when he slipped as he attempted a crossfield pass and Ademola Lookman found Alvarez, who teed up Llorente to slot home.

Tottenham did momentarily respond as Archie Gray passed into Mathys Tel and his long-range shot was routine for Oblak before another error made it 2-0 in the 14th minute.

A slip by Van de Ven after Pape Sarr’s pass allowed Griezmann to run through and fire beyond Kinsky, but the coup de grace occurred 92 seconds later.

Van de Ven passed back to Kinsky, who completely miscued his attempted pass and Alvarez walked the ball into the empty net.

Kinsky was crestfallen and planted his face into the turf before Romero walked over to Tudor and Guglielmo Vicario was immediately introduced after 17 minutes.

Vicario’s first involvement was to produce a wonder save to prevent an own-goal by Sarr, but Le Normand was first to the follow-up and his header crept over the line before Romero could clear.

With the score 4-0 after 22 minutes, the tie was virtually over but Porro reduced the deficit with a low strike in the 26th minute.

Richarlison headed straight at Oblak soon after before Romero headed against a post.

Spurs were fortunate Van de Ven avoided punishment for a crunching tackle on David Hancko and Llorente flashed wide before half-time.

Tudor introduced Conor Gallagher against his old club and Solanke as the second period got under way, with Tottenham fans signing for Pochettino.

Richarlison almost pulled another back for Spurs when he powered a header towards goal, but Oblak saved and Atletico restored their four-goal advantage instantly on the counter-attack.

Matteo Ruggeri’s clearance after Oblak’s save was expertly flicked by Griezmann into the path of Alvarez, who carried the ball forward and fired home.

There was still time for Solanke to pull one back in the 76th minute with a powerful finish and Van de Ven lifted over moments later, but Tottenham finished with nine men after Joao Palhinha and Romero were forced off after a sickening clash of heads in stoppage time on a painful night all round for the north London club.

Harry Kane stayed on the bench as Bayern Munich cruised to an emphatic 6-1 first leg win over Atalanta in Italy.

Kane, who missed Friday's trip to Borussia Monchengladbach with a calf injury, was not required to risk his fitness in Bergamo as six different scorers made next week’s second leg a mere formality.

Josip Stanisic, Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Nicolas Jackson, Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala all found the net before Mario Pasalic scored an added-time consolation for the hosts.

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