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Football pundit Jamie Carragher singled out two Tottenham players alongside a Chelsea duo while criticising what he called ‘cheating’ in modern football during Spurs’ 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Tottenham Hotspur needed just one point against Chelsea to secure their Premier League status after the Blues arrived into the match on a seven-game winless run, but instead fell to a 2-1 defeat, meaning their survival battle will now go down to the final day of the season.

Despite the result, Tottenham were arguably the better side for large periods of the game, leading in possession, expected goals and chances created while also playing some impressive attacking football.

However, individual mistakes and poor finishing once again proved costly. For neutrals, it was still an entertaining London derby, with both sides pressing aggressively and constantly looking to attack quickly rather than simply dominate possession.

Jamie Carragher, though, was left frustrated by another aspect of the game altogether.

Jamie Carragher criticises players for ‘cheating’ during Chelsea vs Tottenham

Speaking on Sky Sports commentary during Chelsea’s win over Tottenham, Jamie Carragher criticised how easily some players go down under minimal contact.

The former Liverpool defender specifically pointed to a moment involving Moises Caicedo and Micky Van de Ven, where the Chelsea midfielder appeared to exaggerate contact to win a foul.

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Carragher said: “I mentioned this about Mac Allister at Liverpool a few weeks ago. And we’ve seen it a lot in this game with Porro, we’ve seen it with Cucurella.

“I actually thought there was a challenge on Caicedo from Van de Ven where he made a big meal of it. Seeing it is just a real eye-opener.

“The number of cheats and players going down when there’s nothing wrong with them is a joke in the Premier League. Just touches him in his face and he goes down, absolutely nothing wrong with him.”

Carragher later went on to accuse Richarlison of being the ‘captain’ of that particular brand of player.

Tottenham can hardly be accused of benefiting from soft decisions

Carragher is not wrong to criticise unnecessary diving in modern football, especially when slight contact repeatedly leads to fouls being awarded.

Tottenham themselves have been on the wrong end of several soft decisions this season, often losing momentum in dangerous situations because opponents have gone down easily.

However, it would also be difficult to argue that Spurs are among the teams benefiting from those calls. Incredibly, Tottenham and Aston Villa remain the only two Premier League clubs yet to receive a single penalty this season.

It also feels slightly unfair to include Pedro Porro in the criticism given the Spaniard won just one foul throughout the Chelsea match, while Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella won four and three respectively.

Like many London derbies, this fixture was full of controversy, and Tottenham once again appeared to come out on the wrong side of the major calls. Spurs were first denied what many believed was a clear penalty before Liam Delap later escaped with only a yellow card following his challenge on Djed Spence.

Had even one of those decisions gone Tottenham’s way, the outcome of the match may have looked very different.

Jamie Redknapp spoke scathingly of his former club and gave his own predictions about what may happen on the final day for Tottenham Hotspur.

In light of recent events, instead of “To dare is to do”, the situation at Tottenham Hotspur would be reflected better by a change in motto to “Do or die.”

Spurs, embroiled in an existential battle for Premier League survival, had a chance to leave this dreadful season behind and guarantee survival with a draw at Stamford Bridge.

Instead, a 2-1 loss to their bitter rivals Chelsea means that Spurs are 90 minutes away from either relegation to the Championship or Premier League safety.

They are still 2 points ahead of West Ham and with a superior goal difference, even a point against Everton would guarantee Spurs’ survival.

Jamie Redknapp’s verdict on current situation at Tottenham

Redknapp gave his verdict on the current situation at Tottenham Hotspur on the Sky Sports panel after the Chelsea game.

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“I feel really sorry for the fans, because they don’t deserve what they’ve had to put up with,” said Redknapp, putting the blame for the current situation on the Tottenham leadership.

“It’s not right to blame Thomas Frank. It’s not right to blame Igor Tudor. The people that employed them are the ones you should be looking at. I said it earlier this season. They are sleepwalking towards relegation.

“When I say good, they beat Wolves, and they beat an Aston Villa side who had seven players out at the time.

“Now they’ve got to find a way to win a game at home. Their home form has been horrendous all season. They’ve had no quality and no character to win a football match. Now they’ve got to find a way to beat Everton…”

What Redknapp thinks of Spurs’ chances of avoiding relegation

Speaking of both West Ham’s and Tottenham’s fixture on Championship Sunday, Redknapp said, “I’d rather be playing Leeds at home than Everton.”

West Ham face a visit from an injury-riddled Leeds United on the final day, whom Spurs also faced off against two weeks ago.

Leeds haven’t lost a game away from home since January, and Roberto De Zerbi had already made a big call that Leeds United will continue their imperious form in their visit to the London Stadium.

Redknapp did, however, back Tottenham to remain in the Premier League in the end.

“The only thing that’s saved them is a couple of good results. Do I still think they survive by the skin of their teeth? Maybe, because I think there’s a chance they could draw at the weekend,” Redknapp said.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters have been reacting to reports linking Paulo Dybala with a possible Premier League transfer, with opinion split over whether Spurs should pursue the Argentine this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur know that if they are to attract the best players this summer, they first have to secure their Premier League status.

As it stands, the chances of Spurs remaining in the Premier League are now significantly higher as they enter the final weekend of the season two points ahead of West Ham.

Should Tottenham manage a draw or a win in their final game, they will secure survival and can then begin rebuilding their squad during the summer transfer window.

Tottenham fans react as Paulo Dybala opens door to Premier League move

Adding experience to the squad is something Spurs are clearly looking to address.

Spurs Web have already reported on Tottenham’s verbal agreements with both Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson – players with Premier League experience – although both deals hinge on the club’s league status.

It remains to be seen whether Tottenham will pursue even more experienced additions. However, supporters appear split over the possibility of a move for Paulo Dybala after Sky Sports claimed the Argentine is open to joining a Premier League club this summer.

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Spurs came close to signing Dybala under Pochettino back in the summer of 2019.

The Argentine, now at AS Roma, is set to be out of contract in the summer and would cost Tottenham nothing in transfer fees. Spurs fans have now shared their thoughts on whether they would welcome the Argentine to N17.

One supporter said: “Would be our best attacker and on a free I would definitely take him.”

Another fan was far less convinced, writing: “No he will join the injury bed next season with the other half of our squad.”

A third supporter believed Dybala is exactly the type of player Spurs currently lack: “Would never say no to an actual footballer, especially given how many we lack right now in our club. He is likely not really a fit for the Prem at all but it would be fun for a bit.”

Meanwhile, another fan admitted the move may come too late, but still liked the idea: “It is five years too late but I am not saying no to Paulo Dybala.”

One more supporter commented: “Would be our best attacker even now and he is experienced. Only problem is the injury record but I would love him for two years.”

Another joked: “Be someone else to talk to in the treatment room for Kulu I suppose.”

A final fan added: “1000%. Would add quality, him and Maddison and Bergvall at that CAM until Simons comes back would be great for us.”

Any Spurs move for Paulo Dybala has come too late

However, they failed to land the forward once more and, with Dybala now 32, it feels as though the opportunity may have passed for the Lilywhites.

This campaign with AS Roma, the Argentine has managed 21 appearances, scoring two goals and providing five assists. He has also endured his fair share of injuries, missing 14 matches due to fitness issues.

Opta’s Supercomputer has revealed the likelihood of Tottenham being relegated for the first time in nearly half a century on Sunday.

Roberto De Zerbi was adamant ahead of the game against Chelsea that Tottenham’s job is not done, and so it proved to be, with the Lilywhites falling to a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge.

That result means that Spurs are still not sure of their place in the Premier League next term, going into their final game of the season.

A point against Everton will be enough for the Lilywhites to achieve their objective, as they have a much superior goal difference to West Ham.

What is Tottenham’s likelihood of going down and staying up?

West Ham need to beat Leeds and hope that Everton hand another home defeat to Spurs in order to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Opta’s Supercomputer considers the chances of Tottenham losing and West Ham winning on Sunday to be very slim.

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The data analysis platform has given the North London club just a 14.09 per cent chance of going down, while West Ham have been given an 85.91 per cent chance of relegation.

Opta thus consider the Lilywhites to be huge favourites to stay up, and Spurs fans will be hoping there is no major drama on Sunday.

A lot will depend on how Spurs and West Ham start on Sunday

While the situation may be in Tottenham’s favour right now, the entire mood of the occasion could change if West Ham score early against Leeds or if Everton score early at N17.

The supporters will become extremely nervous if Spurs are in the bottom three at any point during the day, and that anxiety will likely be transferred from the crowd to the players.

Joao Palhinha has shared his prediction for Tottenham Hotspur’s huge game against Everton on Sunday in pursuit of Premier League survival.

Tottenham Hotspur have another disappointing night to add to their already sizeable collection of poor results from this season.

West Ham’s loss away at Newcastle gifted Spurs an opportunity to leave their atrocious season behind and guarantee Premier League safety with a draw at Stamford Bridge.

But for not the first time this year Spurs failed to capitalise on their chances, instead producing a fairly uninspiring performance in a 2-1 loss to Chelsea.

Joao Palhinha gives his verdict on the Chelsea performance

In an interview given to Sky after Spurs’ defeat, Joao Palhinha gave his thoughts on the match and the fight awaiting Tottenham on the final day of the season.

“We more than played well. We needed the result to finish this thing that we have been living for a long time. This team needed a different result today. I think we deserved it,” said Palhinha.

“I don’t think I need to speak too much about this game because we wanted to win. I think we deserved more. It’s a big frustration.

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Tottenham managed to create 1.72 xG to Chelsea’s 0.7, meaning they created the better chances during the encounter, which explains Palhinha’s sentiment.

What guarantee did Palhinha give to Spurs fans ahead of Tottenham’s biggest game in years?

“We have to [use the defeat as fuel for final game]. That’s the reality. We cannot think too much about the result,” Palhinha said, looking ahead to Spurs’ home game against Everton on Championship Sunday

“It’s been a tough season for us with a lot of things happening inside the club. The reality is we have a final on Sunday. We want to keep Tottenham in the Premier League, and we will go with everything.”

To guarantee safety, Tottenham will need at least a draw from their match against Everton. A single point would put Tottenham at 39 points. A West Ham win against Leeds in their last game of the season would put them on equal points to Spurs, but Tottenham’s much superior goal difference would guarantee their survival in that event. A West Ham win and a Tottenham loss would guarantee Spurs’ relegation.

Even then, Palhinha is optimistic that Spurs will be a Premier League club next season.

“We will have Tottenham in the Premier League next season, I don’t have any doubt about that because it’s where the club belongs. Let’s go with everything.”

Tottenham Hotspur once again failed to get the job done at Stamford Bridge, and former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara did not hold back in his reaction to what he labelled a shocking display from the Lilywhites.

It was never an easy task for Tottenham Hotspur to go into a matchup against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Spurs have struggled to get a result at that ground for most of their visits there in the Premier League era, winning just once in 34 visits.

Yesterday’s clash, though, seemed to have a lot riding on it, with Tottenham needing just a point to secure their Premier League status with a game to spare.

It was not to be, however, as Spurs fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat after Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos put the Blues two goals up before Richarlison pulled one back for Tottenham.

Jamie O’Hara slams Tottenham, Kolo Muani, and Mathys Tel

That result now leaves Spurs in the same position they started the matchweek – two points clear of West Ham United and still needing at least a point in the final gameweek of the season.

Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara’s reaction to Spurs’ matchup against Chelsea has now been shared on talkSPORT.

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The pundit was far from pleased with the display from the Lilywhites and quickly vented his frustration regarding several Tottenham players.

Reacting to Tottenham’s final attack of the game, with Pedro Porro bringing the ball forward, a visibly agitated O’Hara shouted: “Shoot Porro, cross it into the box…”

Neither was done, which only added to his frustration. He then added, “How could you pass it to the goalie!”

Speaking about Mathys Tel, O’Hara said, “He is so bad.”

He then delivered a furious assessment of the overall team performance, adding: “Absolutely disgusting, that team is disgusting… we are so bad… we do not deserve to be in the Premier League… we are terrible.

“Chelsea are absolutely rubbish, they are rubbish, and we gift them a goal in the second half, gift them a goal. Kolo Muani, one of the worst performances I have ever seen.

“Mathys Tel again, what a shocking performance again, absolutely shocking. Shocking team, shocking club. I am sick of this. We cannot create a chance; we do not know how to win a game. It is absolutely pathetic. Pathetic. That performance mate, is absolutely miles off it mate. We are so bad.”

Spurs now face huge Everton test

Up next for Tottenham in the Premier League is a game against Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs could well fancy their chances of getting a draw in that matchup, with the Toffees coming into the encounter in poor form.

David Moyes’ side are without a win in their last five outings and suffered defeat against Sunderland last time out. Spurs Web has since reported that Everton’s poor form could well work in favour of Tottenham.

However, with Spurs at home and given their dismal home record, Jamie O’Hara and several other fans will be left wondering whether their side can get over the line next weekend.

Roberto De Zerbi has been asked about the controversial penalty call during Tottenham’s 2-1 loss against Stamford Bridge.

Spurs have been on the receiving end of some contentious decisions of late, with Tottenham fans still in disbelief that the Lilywhites have not been handed a single penalty in the Premier League this season.

They could have had one at Stamford Bridge after the referee booked Marc Cucurella for bundling Micky van de Ven to the ground during a Tottenham Hotspur corner.

However, the referee felt the foul occurred before the corner had been taken by Mathys Tel, and VAR agreed with that assessment.

Roberto De Zerbi does not want Tottenham to lose energy thinking about the penalty decision

There is a huge debate raging on social media over whether the ball was in play when Van de Ven fouled, and from the evidence, it seems like the Tottenham players had every right to feel hard done by.

However, De Zerbi refused to discuss the incident in his post-match press conference, insisting that he is now only thinking about the upcoming clash against Everton.

When asked if Tottenham should have been awarded a penalty when Van de Ven was brought down, the Italian told Football.London: “It’s not my business now. My focus is to prepare for the next game and to score points.”

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When De Zerbi was asked if he understood why Spurs fans are furious with the decision, especially after the Maddison incident against Everton, he responded: “The fans today have been fantastic, fantastic and we have to say thanks because they were incredible. If we speak about the penalty with Leeds, today we can speak about what you want but we lose focus and we lose energy.

“My focus is to stay on the pitch, to stay in the best first XI I can decide for Sunday and to transfer what I think about this game, about the football and to prepare in the best way the players. I think we played a final, we played an important game but in our stadium and we have two results out of three, so we have to stay alive but any way, it is a big day for us.”

James Maddison is bullish that Spurs should have had a penalty

Maddison has once again not minced his words while talking about the controversial penalty decision at Stamford Bridge.

The Tottenham midfielder has asserted that the ball was in play when Cucurella brought down Van de Ven, insisting that Tottenham deserved a spotkick.

The 29-year-old also confessed that there is a lot of frustration in the dressing room, but he called on his teammates to dust themselves down and give their all on Sunday.

Roberto De Zerbi has shed light on just how much it means to the staff and the players at Tottenham Hotspur to ensure that the club remain in the Premier League.

The battle for survival in the Premier League will now go into the final day of the season, with Tottenham and West Ham separated by just two points.

Spurs need a point against Everton to avoid relegation, while the Lilywhites can also stay up with a defeat if West Ham fail to beat Leeds.

With the Premier League title now decided, all eyes will be on the relegation battle on Sunday, with plenty of room for some big twists and turns over the 90 minutes.

Roberto De Zerbi insists Tottenham players are fully focused on their target

The Lilywhites have been extremely poor at home all season, and one more home defeat could end up in relegation for the first time in nearly half a century.

De Zerbi is convinced from what he has seen over the last month and a half that his players are desperate and extremely driven to do all they can to get over the line.

When asked if the Tottenham players understand what it would mean for the club’s dignity if they go down, the Italian simply responded (via Football.London): “Yes.”

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When asked how he knows that, De Zerbi said: “Because I’m living just for Tottenham. I have lived the last 45 days just for one thing. Tottenham and my players, and I know them very well.

“Then we can make differences because not everyone is like their team-mate, because the character, the level of passion, the level of personality is different because the people are different. But every one of them they are focused on the target. They are working hard during the week and every one of us wants to achieve the goal.”

Spurs would have taken this situation a few weeks ago

While the loss to Chelsea and the draw against Leeds appear like huge missed opportunities, Spurs fans should have some perspective on their current situation.

A few weeks ago, it appeared as if Tottenham were dead and buried, and it was difficult to see how they were going to pick up the points they needed to stay up.

A month ago, if you had offered most Spurs fans the opportunity to stay up with a draw at home against Everton in their final game of the season, most would have bitten your hands off.

Tottenham fans now need to get behind the team like never before for Sunday’s clash, which is arguably the biggest game in the club’s modern history.

James Maddison has reflected on the fact that Tottenham will go into the final day of the season with their Premier League status still on the line.

The prospect of relegation for the first time in 50 years continues to be realistic for Tottenham heading into their final league game of the season.

Spurs need a point against Everton to secure their place in the Premier League after they fell to their second league defeat under Roberto De Zerbi on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge.

There will be plenty of anxiety and nerves at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium unless the Lilywhites can assert their dominance and score early.

James Maddison calls on Tottenham players to ‘give everything for the badge’ on Sunday

Maddison has been a mere spectator this season until the last two games, but his experience and quality could still come in handy for the Lilywhites in their quest to stay up.

The attacking midfielder confessed that it is embarrassing for Spurs to be in this position and called on his teammates to leave everything on the field on Sunday to get over the line.

When asked about the upcoming clash against Everton, Maddison told Sky Sports: “We have to give everything for the club, for the badge, for the fans. It’s a bit embarrassing that we’re in this position. We’re going to need our fans, who were unbelievable tonight. I think we have the best away following in the league.”

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Roberto De Zerbi claims Everton clash is bigger than Europa League final

Like Maddison, the Tottenham boss has also issued a rallying cry to the players and the fans ahead of their final league game of the season.

De Zerbi insisted that the clash against Everton is bigger for Spurs than last year’s Europa League final, since the club’s history and dignity are on the line.

Tottenham Hotspur have just received a major blow in their quest to tie up a permanent deal for Joao Palhinha this summer.

While Roberto De Zerbi has said he wants Joao Palhinha to be part of his squad next season, it appears that the Lilywhites face some major roadblocks in getting the deal over the line.

Sporting Lisbon are keen to take the 30-year-old back to the club as they eye a rebuild in midfield this summer.

It has been suggested that Palhinha could return to Lisbon for personal reasons, and the latest update on the Portugal international’s future comes as bad news for the Lilywhites.

Tottenham blow as negotiations ‘progressing rapidly’ between Joao Palhinha and Sporting Lisbon

A Bola have now claimed that talks between Palhinha and Sporting are ‘progressing rapidly’, with the negotiations between the parties now accelerating ahead of the summer window.

The report says that there are ‘strong prospects’ that the Spurs midfielder would return to his boyhood club this summer, as he has already held some positive talks with the club’s management.

It is asserted that a loan move to Jose Alvalade Stadium with an option to buy could emerge as a viable solution this summer.

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Sporting want Palhinha to take a leadership role at the club and be a crucial link between the players and the coaching staff.

One sticking point for Sporting in Palhinha deal

A Bola explain that the only sticking point for Sporting could be in finding a suitable agreement with Bayern Munich.

The two clubs have to agree on whether it would be a loan with a purchase option or an immediate transfer, with Sporting likely to offer a three-year deal to the player in case it is a permanent transfer.