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French forward conceded a penalty after opening scoring in spectacular fashion

Oli Gent

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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Jamie Carragher slammed Mathys Tel’s “crazy decision” after the French forward conceded a decisive penalty in Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Leeds on Monday.

Spurs had the opportunity to take advantage of West Ham’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday and move four points clear of the Hammers in the two sides’ bid to stay in the Premier League.

Tel opened the scoring in sumptuous style for Spurs in the second half, but he then tried to acrobatically clear a corner.

He caught the visitors’ captain Ethan Ampadu on the head with his studs, leaving the Welshman with a battle scar.

VAR deemed the incident worthy of a penalty kick, which Dominic Calvert-Lewin emphatically converted to equalise.

The result leaves Spurs just two points clear of their London rivals with two games left to play.

Hero to zero: Mathys Tel

Getty

"It's just a crazy decision from Tel,” Carragher said on Sky Sports afterwards.

“What you think sometimes is we've been there sometimes as players where you don't see the opposition player coming in.

"But he's about to make his decision and he sees him, he looks. So he's made his decision but as soon as he knows there's someone there, it has to change.

"He still has time, he's got to change his mind. I thought he hadn't seen him initially, but he has. It's a really, really poor decision.”

The French forward was almost caught out in the first half when he tried to clear his lines in his own penalty area, under pressure from two Leeds bodies.

His sliced ball turned into an inviting cross for Calvert-Lewin in the middle, but Kevin Danso rose highest to avert the danger.

Chance spurned: Roberto De Zerbi

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"We're talking about a young attacking player, making two ridiculous decisions in this game,” Carragher continued.

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"De Zerbi will be furious - but he's got to remember he's a young attacking player who has actually made a massive difference to Spurs right now.

"He came off the bench at Wolves, got the corner and the winning goal. He set up the second goal at Villa, and he scored the goal tonight.

"He needs him, because they haven't got players with injuries but there's a player there. We've seen that in the last couple of games.

"You'd be going nuts, but the good at the other end - everything we showed that was good from Spurs in the first half, and then he scored the goal in the second half.

"That's the art of management, and De Zerbi knows that a lot better than me."

Spurs have two games remaining in their Premier League campaign, and they travel to Chelsea next before hosting Everton on the final day.

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Spurs could have gone four clear of the relegation zone with a win

Sam Tabuteau

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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Tottenham squandered the chance to move four points clear of the relegation zone as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds.

Spurs looked to be on their way to a first Premier League home win since December when Mathys Tel gave them the lead in the 50th minute as he curled home a beauty past Karl Darlow.

But the French forward then conceded a penalty, following a VAR review, which Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted to level the scores in the 74th minute.

Even after 13 minutes of added time, Spurs could not find the winner they desperately needed, as their relegation fears continued.

Sam Tabuteau was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to rate the Spurs players...

Antonin Kinsky 8: Ensured the scores remained level as he saved superbly from Sean Longstaff. Also produced an excellent save to deny Joe Rodon in the first-half. Nothing he could do about Calvert-Lewin’s penalty.

Pedro Porro 7: Nearly picked out Richarlison with a neat through ball in the first-half, and got into some good positions centrally and out wide. Had a shot cleared off the line. Was a more permanent fixture in midfield as Spurs chased a late goal.

Kevin Danso 5: Picked up a booking towards the end of the first-half after a couple of rash fouls. Did well to deal with Calvert-Lewin’s physicality after the break.

Micky van de Ven 7: Did a good job of marshalling Spurs’ backline, who were on the whole very solid, and he made an excellent challenge to deny Calvert-Lewin as Leeds chased a second goal.

Destiny Udogie 5: Lucky to have seen Calvert-Lewin ruled offside after getting into a tangle with the Leeds forward inside the box.

Reborn: Antonin Kinsky

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Joao Palhinha 7: De Zerbi is determined to keep Palhinha at the club because of his spirit and mentality. It was another performance with all the right grit and commitment, and he played well under pressure.

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Rodrigo Bentancur 8: Has been a revelation since returning from injury and was all over the pitch as Spurs dominated for large periods. Snapping into challenges and wriggling free from pressure, he was the hosts’ best player in the first-half.

Randal Kolo Muani 6: Was not as involved as Tel on the other wing, but created an inviting opportunity for Richarlison shortly after Spurs had taken the lead.

Conor Gallagher 7: Continued where he left off against Aston Villa. Led the press, chased after loose causes and was also quick with the ball at his feet.

Mathys Tel 7: From hero to zero. Initially caused real issues with his inswinging crosses before giving the hosts the lead with an excellent stabbed finish into the corner. But then gave away a penalty after kicking Ampadu in the head as he attempted to clear the ball.

Richarlison 4: His loose touch squandered an excellent early chance before he spooned over from Kolo Muani’s cut-back after the break. It was that chance which Spurs ultimately came to rue.

Disappointing: Richarlison

Getty

Subs:

Lucas Bergvall 6: Sliced a shot over the bar as Spurs chased a late winner and harried well to get Spurs playing forward.

James Maddison 7: Cheered on to huge applause after making his first competitive appearance in over a year. Thought he had won a penalty deep into stoppage time and was heavily involved as Spurs applied the pressure.

Djed Spence 6: Provided some attacking threat and fresh legs for Udogie late on.

Unused: Austin, Dragusin, Bissouma, Gray, Souza, Sarr

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In terms of his first-choice goalkeeper, De Zerbi confirmed that Guglielmo Vicario will miss Tottenham’s relegation clash at home to Leeds tonight.

Vicario had been expected back in training three weeks ago, having undergone hernia surgery during the April international break.

His return to action has been delayed, and De Zerbi admitted in his pre-match press conference on Thursday that he did not know when Vicario would return.

“No, Vicario is not ready yet,” De Zerbi said. “I don’t know what the plan would be.”

In Vicario’s place, stand-in goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky has impressed and was unlucky not to keep a second successive clean sheet as Spurs restricted Aston Villa to just one shot on target during their 2-1 win at Villa Park last weekend.

Dominic Solanke also missed the win over Villa with a hamstring injury, and De Zerbi said he was unlikely to feature against Leeds, though he hoped he could be in contention to play Chelsea next week. The England international is omitted today.

Richarlison came in for his first start in four games against Villa and scored with a well-taken header, but he did not train on Wednesday after taking a knock at Villa Park, but he starts up top here.

De Zerbi has also allayed fears of an injury to Rodrigo Bentancur, who starts this evening after getting a knock last time out.

Spurs’ midfield combination was crucial to their dominance against Villa, and De Zerbi calls upon Conor Gallagher, Joao Palhinha and Bentancur for this evening’s game.

The Spurs defender was among the 55 names included by Albiceleste head coach Lionel Scaloni on Monday as part of a list submitted before FIFA’s official deadline for provisional squads.

Romero is currently sidelined with a left knee injury sustained during an accidental collision with team-mate Antonin Kinsky that occurred during the 1-0 Premier League defeat at Sunderland on April 12 - Roberto De Zerbi’s first match in charge.

He was subsequently diagnosed with a high-grade partial tear of his medial cruciate ligament (MCL) and expected to miss around eight weeks, ruling him out for the remainder of the season as Tottenham battle against relegation.

The injury appeared to leave Romero - who left the pitch at the Stadium of Light in tears - in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup, with competing nations having to submit their final 26-man squad lists by June 1.

Monday (May 11) was the deadline for provisional squad lists to be submitted, featuring between 35-55 players, including at least four goalkeepers.

Romero was included in holders Argentina’s provisional squad led by captain Lionel Messi, an official player pool from which any replacement would have to be sourced in the event that an injury occurs in the final 26-man group before the World Cup begins.

Argentina’s preliminary squad has a strong Premier League contingent, with Romero joined by Aston Villa duo Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia, Crystal Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi, Chelsea pair Enzo Fernandez and Alejandro Garnacho, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, and Nicolas Dominguez of Nottingham Forest.

Also included is Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni, who would miss the first two matches at the World Cup if selected in the final squad after his UEFA ban for verbally abusing Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during a Champions League match in February was extended worldwide by FIFA.

Argentina, who have also clinched back-to-back Copa America titles, won their third World Cup crown in Qatar in the winter of 2022, ending a 36-year wait for glory as Messi lifted football’s most prestigious trophy for the first time following a thrilling penalty shootout win in the final against France.

They finished top of South American qualifying for this summer’s expanded 48-team tournament in North America and kick off their defence in the Group J opener against Algeria in Kansas City on June 18, before then meeting both Austria and Jordan in Arlington, Texas.

Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Guglielmo Vicario will miss Tottenham’s relegation clash at home to Leeds on Monday night.

Vicario had been expected back in training three weeks ago, having undergone hernia surgery during the April international break.

His return to action has been delayed, and De Zerbi admitted in his pre-match press conference on Thursday that he did not know when Vicario would return.

“No, Vicario is not ready yet,” De Zerbi said. “I don’t know what the plan would be.”

In Vicario’s place, stand-in goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky has impressed and was unlucky not to keep a second successive clean sheet as Spurs restricted Aston Villa to just one shot on target during their 2-1 win at Villa Park last weekend.

Dominic Solanke also missed the win over Villa with a hamstring injury, and De Zerbi said he was unlikely to feature against Leeds, though he hoped he could be in contention to play Chelsea next week.

Richarlison came in for his first start in four games against Villa and scored with a well-taken header.

Spurs’ midfield combination was crucial to their dominance against Villa, and De Zerbi is likely to again call upon Conor Gallagher, Joao Palhinha and Bentancur for the visit of Leeds.

In defence, De Zerbi has relied on a settled backline, with Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie at full-back and Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven forming a solid centre-half partnership.

With Udogie overcoming a muscle injury to start against Villa, De Zerbi is again likely to have a near-full complement of defensive options as he prepares to take on Leeds, minus stricken captain Cristian Romero.

Resurgent Spurs searching for third win on the bounce in relegation battle

George Flood

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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Tottenham can take another step closer to Premier League survival as they host Leeds tonight.

After a shock 2-1 win at fifth-place Aston Villa last weekend to follow West Ham’s listless 3-0 loss at Brentford, Spurs leapfrogged their London rivals out of the bottom three by a single point with three games to go to offer real renewed hope of avoiding a disastrous first relegation to the second tier of English football since 1977.

It felt like a real momentum-changing weekend in the battle to avoid the drop as injury-ravaged Tottenham, albeit playing against a much-rotated team with one eye on the Europa League semi-finals, made it back-to-back wins under Roberto De Zerbi with arguably their best performance of the season - and it would have been three in a row were it not for a last-gasp equaliser conceded against Brighton last month.

Spurs will look to continue that feel-good factor as they host Leeds on Monday night, knowing they can move four points clear of West Ham after they were beaten by league leaders Arsenal.

This would previously have been dubbed as a massive relegation six-pointer, but Leeds - along with Nottingham Forest - have since had their survivals confirmed to make it a straight fight between Tottenham and West Ham, with Daniel Farke’s beaten FA Cup semi-finalists currently sitting 16th and seven points clear of trouble after winning three of their last four league games.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Tottenham vs Leeds is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off tonight, Monday, May 11, 2026.

The match will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London.

Where to watch Tottenham vs Leeds

TV channel: The game will be broadcast live in the UK on Monday Night Football via Sky Sports, with coverage beginning at 7pm BST on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the match live online via the Sky Go app.

Live blog: Follow the action with Standard Sport’s live blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Spurs correspondent Sam Tabuteau at the ground.

Tottenham vs Leeds team news

Antonin Kinsky will remain in goal for Tottenham, with Guglielmo Vicario not yet ready to return from hernia surgery.

De Zerbi hopes that Dominic Solanke will be back in contention following a hamstring injury against Chelsea next week, with the Spurs boss reporting no fresh injury worries.

A lengthy injury list includes Cristian Romero, Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert and Ben Davies, while Richarlison did not train on Wednesday after a knock suffered against Villa.

No return: Tottenham will still be without first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario against Leeds

Getty Images

De Zerbi allayed any concerns after the win at Villa Park that Micky van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur had picked up new injuries, while James Maddison was an unused substitute for the third game in a row as he awaits his first appearance in a year following a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Leeds are still without Swedish left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson due to a hamstring injury, while Bulgarian midfielder Ilia Gruev will miss the rest of the season with a meniscus knee injury sustained in training.

Tottenham vs Leeds prediction

Spurs fans will hope a real corner has been turned at last thanks to the impact of De Zerbi, whose methods appear to be having a real effect on the squad in the short-term.

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They seem to be playing with more belief, confidence and momentum at long last, showing so much more fight.

It would not be at all surprising to see them chalk up another vital win here, though Leeds are in strong form themselves and know how to grind out results.

While they have won only two away games in the league all season, eight of their 17 fixtures on the road have finished level, while Tottenham have only won two at home in the top-flight this term.

Draw, 1-1.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Spurs have won their last five games in a row against Leeds, including a Kudus-inspired 2-1 victory at a wet Elland Road under Thomas Frank back in October.

Leeds’ last win in this fixture was back in May 2021. They have not registered an away win over Spurs for 25 years.

Tottenham wins: 42

Leeds wins: 33

Draws: 29

Tottenham vs Leeds match odds

Tottenham to win: 4/6

Leeds to win: 16/5

Draw: 23/10

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

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Sam Tabuteau

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

If the midfield is the heartbeat of a team, then Roberto De Zerbi has performed open heart surgery to get Tottenham moving in the right direction in the hunt for Premier League survival.

For so much of this season, Spurs’ dysfunctional midfield has looked short of courage, cohesion and creativity.

Amidst a plethora of options - Spurs have given minutes to eight different midfielders this season - finding a combination that can strike the balance between their responsibilities with and without the ball has been difficult.

That all changed against Aston Villa eight days ago, though, as Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha dovetailed superbly to guide Spurs to a precious three points.

The relentless Gallagher was deservedly named man of the match at Villa Park after leading from the front with a sweetly taken goal from the edge of the box.

Palhinha chased and harried every loose ball, while Bentancur provided control in possession to stem the tide of Villa pressure after half-time.

Everyone in Spurs’ midfield knew their role, their strengths and limitations - Palhinha, for example, would routinely drop into defence to allow right-back Pedro Porro to get on the ball while he covered the space in behind.

Roberto De Zerbi and Joao Palhinha

Getty

But De Zerbi knows that what worked so well against a hapless Villa side, will not necessarily work against Leeds on Monday night.

Back on home soil, Spurs will be expected to break Leeds down as they search for their first league win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since December.

That could prove an issue for Gallagher, who for all his industry and awareness in the final third, has struggled when asked to find the pass that he would prefer to get on the end of. Gallagher is better at attacking rather than creating space.

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De Zerbi really likes Gallagher, describing him as Spurs’ “12th man”, but his long-term suitability as the No10 in his preferred 4–2-3-1 formation is under question.

That said, the most obvious change to Spurs’ midfield makeup seems to be swapping Palhinha back out for Yves Bissouma.

Bissouma has seen his minutes increase under De Zerbi and offers more dynamism than Palhinha, who excels when defending his own box.

There is also the question of whether Lucas Bergvall or Archie Gray, who De Zerbi thinks is future captain material, could come back into the team.

The pair have not been utilised much since De Zerbi took over, with the Spurs boss opting for experience in the heat of a relegation battle.

“For sure. Bissouma, Bentancur, Joao Palhinha, they have much experience. They already know about playing in this situation,” De Zerbi said when he spoke to the press on Thursday.

De Zerbi has offered hope for Bergvall, stating he is a player for both now and the future. But now perhaps is not the time for the unpredictability of youth.

De Zerbi will tweak things against Leeds. But he says there won’t be wholesale changes to his starting line-up or tactical instructions, as he does not want players to lose energy having to think too hard about adhering to a system.

Archie Gray has falled somewhat out of favour under Roberto De Zerbi

PA

He said: “We will change something in the occupation of the spaces, for sure. But I wouldn't like to give too many ideas, too many instructions. Especially in this moment, because I don't want the players to lose energy thinking what is the plan.”

Leeds are one of the “best teams at the moment”, according to De Zerbi, after taking 12 points from their last six league games.

Daniel Farke’s side play to their strengths, utilising their height and physicality to make teams uncomfortable.

And De Zerbi knows that three points is no foregone conclusion, even after Spurs’ recent upturn in results.

Ultimately, Spurs’ home form has been abject for the best part of two seasons now. But De Zerbi says his side are lucky to be playing at what is considered one of the most impressive stadiums in world football.

“Tottenham’s stadium is hot,” he said. “When I was here with Brighton, and two weeks ago against Brighton, the stadium was very, very hot. For us, we are lucky to play in this stadium.”

The “hot” atmosphere that De Zerbi describes, having experienced a sliding scale of emotions as Spurs fell to a stoppage-time equaliser against Brighton in his first home game in charge, can go both ways.

De Zerbi is determined to see the glare of 60,000 fans as motivation. He wants supporters to “support” and to “push” Spurs on to a potentially season defining victory.

However, those of a Spurs persuasion in the stands on Monday evening will know how quickly the heat inside the stadium can turn when things aren’t going their side’s way. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been mutinous at times this season.

De Zerbi has maintained he is positive but realistic. Despite the outward confidence, he will understand that without a positive result against Leeds he will be back to the drawing board.

The temperature is turning up on Spurs’ season. The question is can they handle the heat?

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