Football London

Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 with Leeds United but Mathys Tel went from hero to villain

Roberto De Zerbi says he will kiss and hug Tottenham Hotspur forward Mathys Tel who went from hero to villain in their draw with Leeds United on Monday night. The young French forward had opened the scoring for Spurs in the 50th minute in what was a huge goal in their fight for Premier League survival.

The win would have moved De Zerbi's men four points clear of West Ham United and the relegation zone with just two games left to play. However, Tel gave away a penalty trying an acrobatic clearance with Jamie Carragher claiming De Zerbi would be furious about the incident.

The French forward tried an overhead kick inside the area to clear the danger, but Ethan Ampadu rushed in to make first contact with the ball with his head.

Referee Jared Gillett was left with no choice but to point to the spot, with Leeds United forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin converting the penalty.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

However, despite Carragher's criticism the Spurs boss came out in defence of the 21-year-old claiming the incident could happen to any young player.

Speaking to Sky Sports, De Zerbi said: "He is young and is a talent. I will kiss him and hug him. He doesn't need too many words. He was sorry for the mistake, it can happen to a young player."

Reflecting on the incident, on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Carragher said: "It's just a crazy decision from Tel. 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. We're talking about a young attacking player, making two ridiculous decisions in this game.

"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."

Here's every single word the Tottenham Hotspur boss said after the draw with Leeds United on Monday night in the Premier League

Roberto De Zerbi had plenty to say at his press conference after Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Leeds in the Premier League on Monday night.

Spurs had plenty of first half chances but couldn't take them and survived a late VAR penalty scare at the end of the period as Dominic Calvert-Lewin was deemed marginally offside before being brought down in the box under close attention from Destiny Udogie.

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes into the second half with Mathys Tel curling a wonderful effort into the top right corner of the net with Karl Darlow only able to get fingertips on to it.

However, the Frenchman went from hero to villain when he caught Ethan Ampadu with an overhead kick in the Spurs box and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put away the spot kick after VAR advised referee Jarred Gillett to head to his pitchside monitor.

Both sides pushed for a second goal with 15 minutes of added time tagged on to the game, Antonin Kinsky pushing Sean Longstaff's header on to the crossbar and the returning James Maddison denied a penalty deep into 15 minutes of added time at the end of the game.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to De Zerbi. Here's the full transcript from the press conference.

What did you say to Mathys Tel after scoring a wonderful goal and then doing that in his own box?

A big hug and a big kiss. Nothing more because he is a young player, he is a big talent and he score a great goal. He made a mistake for the experience because he has not the right experience and he has not played too many games in his career and we have to accept, but I am proud and I am happy for the mentality we show. We didn’t play a great game like in Villa Park, we played a good game and did enough to win. We could lose the game at the end because before the last 15 to 20 minutes, they didn’t shoot on our goal and just one in the first half. We had 14 corner against two, five chances to score against two, we came inside of the goal area 50 times against 27 but we didn’t score two goals.

We could see you getting frustrated on the sideline, you got a yellow card, what was frustrating you?

The first minute until the end of the game the referee went to me, ‘if you go out, yellow card,’ and I think they were not calm today. Maybe they suffered the pressure of yesterday the West Ham-Arsenal game and VAR. For sure we suffer the pressure today for the speed of the ball, for the order of the pitch and we didn’t play with patience on the ball. Frenetic and we were rushed but also the referee was not calm. I don’t know, I can’t understand the polemic about yesterday VAR because it was a foul, 200 per cent, not 100 per cent if you want to talk about football.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

How good was it to have James Maddison make his comeback although you probably didn't expect him to play for that long?

Great news for us. He is a different player as a quality, as a guy and he will be I hope crucial for us. Yesterday I spoke with him about his physical condition and about how many minutes he could play. He played more than what he said yesterday. We are happy for him but I think we are in the right way.

It will be tough until the last minute against Everton, for sure but after the Sunderland game, it was a difficult to imagine ourselves before the last two games to stay up two points of West Ham because I remember very well the game in Sunderland was my first game and we can’t forget what was the situation just 15 days ago. We can’t forget after four games in a row we made eight points and we can’t forget Leeds the last defeat in Premier League was the 1st of March at home I think. And West Ham they have to also play Leeds at home. I think Leeds they will play like today with the same spirit, with the same qualities because they are doing a great season.

Was it a penalty on Maddison?

No, no, no, I don’t want to come inside the polemic, I didn’t see and I didn’t watch again. I don’t know. Ask me a question about football if you want.

What did you make of Antonin Kinsky tonight?

He’s improving a lot. He’s a good goalkeeper. I had no doubt in my first days in Tottenham because I knew him before coming here. He played in Madrid, he made that mistake, and it was tough for him. He has great personality, strong character and he deserves to play a game like today.

Does the lack of attacking depth hurt you because your style means the attacking players can tire as games go on?

Yes, but I think I am very lucky to have these players, even if we have too many injuries. I think we have enough quality and the good enough players to stay up. I said this after Sunderland, after Brighton. I think in the last four games we’ve made eight points, but we deserve more than eight points. For that I am positive, I’m happy. I’m looking forward to start to work this week and prepare the next game.

Of those eight points, only two at home, the team still haven't won at home in the Premier League since December 6, do you see a mental problem?

No, because Brighton, did you watch the game with Brighton?

Yes.

I think with Brighton we played a great game.

But again you were leading and threw it away?

Yes, but if you want to speak about the performance, we speak about the performance, if we speak about the result, change. Against Brighton we played a fantastic game, maybe for sure better than today and better than Wolverhampton, maybe worse than or not so good like Aston Villa, but we deserve to win. And today, yes, you are right, we didn't play well, we didn't play a great game, we played a good game.

I think we felt too much pressure. It can happen if you fight for the relegation, it's different. What do you think, is it tougher playing the final of the Europa League as a pressure, or the game like today to fight for the relegation?

Probably today....

For sure, because there are two different pressures.

That's not really my point though, it's been like this at home for lots of Tottenham managers, it's not just your fault...

No, no, now Tottenham is mine, I am the coach of Tottenham, the responsibility is mine, and you are not to say other coaches, no.

Yes, for sure we didn't win two games, the last two games, but as a coach you have to consider the performances, not just the result. Because today, if we win today, nothing changes in terms of performance, because anyway we didn't play a great game. But we have to be honest and to say we didn't play a great game, even if we win.

And today we didn't win, we didn't play a great game, and we have to be honest. Everyone, everyone honest, not just me. We have to be honest also when we consider the VAR of West Ham vs Arsenal, a foul 200% in football.

Tottenham drew 1-1 against Leeds United in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday night

Tottenham Hotspur had to settle for a point from their Premier League match against Leeds United, as the race for safety continues. Spurs went into the game looking to take advantage of West Ham's 1-0 loss against Arsenal on Sunday.

That meant that Tottenham had the chance to open up a four-point gap between them and the bottom three. Standing in their way was Leeds, whose safety was secured thanks to the West Ham loss.

After a cagey first half, things were going to plan for Spurs when they took the lead in the 51st minute through Mathys Tel, with his strike giving Karl Darlow no chance and nestling in the top corner.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

But with 16 minutes of normal time left to play, a VAR review led to a penalty being awarded to Leeds after Tel was adjudged to have fouled Ethan Ampadu. Dominic Calvert-Lewin stepped up and drew Leeds level from the spot.

That's how the score stayed, with 13 minutes of added time indicated by the fourth official. But it was Leeds who had the best chance, with Spurs having Antonin Kinsky to thank for saving them.

What Spurs need

The draw against Leeds puts Spurs two points ahead of West Ham ahead of the final two games. To mathematically secure safety, Tottenham need five points from the final two games. Although four points should be enough given their goal difference advantage.

That number will reduce should West Ham drop points. If they lose one of the games, then two points from the final two games would be enough for Spurs.

If West Ham draw any of their matches, then Spurs will need three points from their final two matches.

Tottenham remaining fixtures

Vs Chelsea (A), Tues 19 May (8.15pm)

Vs Everton (H) - Sun 24 May (6pm)

The match against Chelsea for Spurs is always unpredictable. The Blues are on a disappointing run of form, which Spurs will look to use to their advantage.

Everton, meanwhile, still have the chance of playing European football next season. They won’t be an easy opponent.

West Ham remaining fixtures

Vs Newcastle (A) - Sun 17 May (5.30pm)

Vs Leeds United (H) - Sun 24 May (4pm)

A trip to St James’ Park is never easy, even if Newcastle haven’t lived up to expectations this season. The fact that they have nothing to play for could be both good and bad news for West Ham, who will have the chance to put pressure on Spurs by playing first.

It’s a similar scenario with Leeds. The Whites secured safety this weekend, thanks to West Ham’s loss to Arsenal.

The Hammers will be looking to make the most of home advantage on the final day.

Roberto De Zerbi is holding his press conference after Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Leeds in the Premier League on Monday night.

Spurs carved out plenty of first half chances but couldn't take them and survived a late VAR penalty scare at the end of the period as Dominic Calvert-Lewin was offside by a couple of his toes before being brought down in the box under close attention from Destiny Udogie.

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes into the second half with Mathys Tel curling a wonderful effort into the top right corner of the net with Karl Darlow only able to get fingertips on to it.

However, the Frenchman then became the villain when he caught Ethan Ampadu with an overhead kick in the Spurs box and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put away the spot kick after VAR advised referee Jarred Gillett to head to his pitchside monitor.

Both sides pushed for a second goal, Antonin Kinsky pushing Sean Longstaff's header on to the crossbar and James Maddison denied a penalty deep into 15 minutes of added time at the end of the game.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold is among those putting the questions to De Zerbi. Scroll down for the latest updates from the press conference.

Tottenham had a shout for a late penalty denied after VAR review during their 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

The Premier League have explained why Tottenham weren't awarded a late penalty against Leeds United. Spurs had to settle for a 1-1 draw in Monday night's game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs did, though, have a late penalty shout when James Maddison went down under a challenge from Lukas Nmecha in added time. Referee Jarred Gillett waved away appeals, but a VAR review followed.

However, the original decision was upheld. Offering an explanation on their Match Centre X account, the Premier League said: "The referee’s call of no penalty to Tottenham Hotspur was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Nmecha played the ball."

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

While the review was underway, Sky Sports co-commentator Alan Smith spotted the Leeds player's touch on the ball.

"VAR will certainly get involved here!" He said. "He certainly catches Maddison. Does he get a touch on the ball? He might get the slightest - which could save him!"

After a cagey first half, things were going to plan for Spurs when Mathys Tel opened the scoring early in the second period, putting the ball beyond Karl Darlow. But it was Tel involved in the equalising goal.

The Tottenham man attempted to clear the ball in his own penalty area, but caught Ethan Ampadu. A VAR review awarded Leeds a penalty, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin giving Antonin Kinsky no chance from the spot.

When announcing the decision, referee Gillett said: "After review, Tottenham No.11 commits a foul on the Leeds attacker. The final decision is a penalty kick."

Maddison's time on the pitch was his first minutes since returning from a long-term knee injury. The midfielder could be a key player in the final two matches of the season.

Here are our Tottenham player ratings after their 1-1 draw with Leeds United in the Premier League on Monday evening

Tottenham could only grab a 1-1 draw with Leeds on Monday night in the Premier League and here are our Spurs player ratings.

Roberto De Zerbi's men came into the game off the back of their first back-to-back Premier League victories since the beginning of the season after the wins at Wolves and Aston Villa, and were hoping to continue their momentum under their new head coach.

De Zerbi kept faith with the Spurs starting line-up that impressed at Villa Park with Richarlison making his 100th appearance for the club, Conor Gallagher his 150th Premier League appearance and Pedro Porro is playing his 150th game in a Tottenham shirt. James Maddison was on the bench again as he looked to get his first minutes from the bench since that anterior cruciate ligament injury last summer.

Spurs carved out plenty of first half chances but couldn't take them and survived a late VAR penalty scare at the end of the period as Dominic Calvert-Lewin was offside by a couple of his toes before being brought down in the box under close attention from Destiny Udogie.

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes into the second half with Mathys Tel curling a wonderful effort into the top right corner of the net with Karl Darlow only able to get fingertips on to it.

However, the Frenchman then became the villain when he caught Ethan Ampadu with an overhead kick in the Spurs box and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put away the spot kick after VAR advised referee Jarred Gillett to head to his pitchside monitor.

Both sides pushed for a second goal, Antonin Kinsky pushing Sean Longstaff's header on to the crossbar and James Maddison denied a penalty deep into 15 minutes of added time at the end of the game.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Here are our Spurs player ratings:

Antonin Kinsky

Saved well low down on the line from Rodon's header 20 minutes in which had the fans singing his name. Went the right way for Calvert-Lewin's penalty. Made a terrific save to push Longstaff's shot on to the crossbar in added time. 9

Pedro Porro

Put Richarlison through for an early opening and had his own shot blocked in front of goal just after the half hour mark. Also put in some dangerous corners. One of Spurs' better players. 7

Kevin Danso

Saved Tel with an important header in his own box before the 20 minute mark from the Frenchman's weird attempted clearance. Had some shaky moments allied with some important blocks and headers. 7

Micky van de Ven

A quiet game but did make a great sliding block to stop a Nmecha shot, even though the Leeds man was flagged offside. 7

Destiny Udogie

Fortunate that Calvert-Lewin had his toes offside after getting a hold of him in the box at the end of the first half. Not as good as his Villa display. 6

Joao Palhinha

Lashed a big chance over the bar 35 minutes in after doing well to take the ball into the box. Picked up a yellow card for an odd challenge in the second half and that restricted him from then on. 6

Rodrigo Bentancur

Spurs' best player in the first half and sent a header wide from a Porro corner. Faded a bit in the second half before coming off for Bergvall with 10 minutes to go. 7

Randal Kolo Muani

A willing runner without much quality in what he produced at the end of it apart from one ball to Richarlison. 5

Conor Gallagher

Busy without being too effective with the ball. 6

Mathys Tel

Started shakily and hit a poor attempted clearance across his own box that needed Danso to bail him out. Had a good run 25 minutes in which ended with a deflected shot over. Made amends for a lack of end product in the first half but curling home a sensational effort to break the deadlock in the 51st minute. Then cancelled it out with an overhead kick in his own box which caught Ampadu and gave away a penalty. 7

Richarlison

Put through by Porro early on but took a heavy touch. Had another effort that deflected into Darlow's arms in the first half and volleyed over from Kolo Muani's pass. Wasteful. 5

Subs

Lucas Bergvall

A busy cameo without too much end product. 5

James Maddison

His first minutes of the season and he thought he'd won a late penalty but the referee and VAR decided otherwise. 5

Djed Spence

Here's the Tottenham Hotspur team that Roberto De Zerbi has selected to face Leeds United on Monday evening in the Premier League

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has named his side to take on Leeds in the Premier League on Monday night.

Spurs currently lie out of the relegation zone by a single point and they now know that after West Ham's 1-0 defeat at home to title-chasing Arsenal on Sunday, if De Zerbi 's men can overcome Daniel Farke's in-form Leeds side then they will have a four-point gap going into the final two games.

With the team's first back-to-back Premier League victories since the beginning of the season behind them after the wins at Wolves and Aston Villa, Tottenham will be looking to continue their momentum under their new head coach.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

De Zerbi has kept faith with the starting line-up that impressed at Villa Park and that means that without a playmaker available to start, Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel will once again be important down the flanks in getting the ball into the box for Richarlison, who makes his 100th appearance for the club.

Conor Gallagher will also be looking to repeat his goalscoring performance this time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in his 150th Premier League appearance, while Pedro Porro is playing his 150th game in a Spurs shirt.

James Maddison is on the bench again and looks close to a return for his first minutes from the bench since that anterior cruciate ligament injury last summer. De Zerbi said Dominic Solanke was closing in on a return but is not back yet for this game against Leeds.

Here's the Spurs team that De Zerbi has selected:

Tottenham host Leeds in the Premier League on Monday night in a game that could go a long way to keeping the Lilywhites in the top flight if they can continue their improvement under Roberto De Zerbi.

De Zerbi and his Spurs side are currently out of the relegation zone by a point over West Ham and the 1-0 loss for Nuon Espirito Santo's side at the London Stadium to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon means that if Tottenham can find a way to beat Daniel Farke's in-form Leeds outfit then they would have a four-point gap to the drop zone with two matches remaining.

To do so Spurs will have to win a Premer League game in N17 for the first time since early December. Things have been improving under the new head coach though and the first back-to-back Premier League victories, at Wolves and Aston Villa, since the beginning of the campaign will give them some confidence.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold is at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and you can find his live updates from the match in our blog below.

Micky van de Ven has explained how Roberto De Zerbi has managed to drag Tottenham Hotspur out of a 'difficult situation'.

Micky van de Ven believes Ange Postecoglou laid the foundations for Roberto De Zerbi to rescue Tottenham Hotspur from Premier League relegation. The 25-year-old defender will hope to extend the Lilywhites' unbeaten streak when they host Leeds United on Monday night.

Spurs have won each of their last two games and could go four points clear of West Ham in the bottom three if they can defeat Daniel Farke's side. Although Tottenham may fancy their chances this evening, Leeds have been in even better form, having not lost in the English top-flight since the start of March.

Speaking to Stadium Astro ahead of the relegation showdown, Van de Ven explained how De Zerbi has managed to drag the Lilywhites out of a 'difficult situation'. The Netherlands international said: "Tactically, I would say he is way more different.

"He likes to play way more with the ball than we did with the former managers. He gives us so much confidence, gives us so much trust that we can play like this because we did it before already, especially under Ange."

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Van de Ven added: "We played this football as well. He just gives us so much confidence. We are so good on the ball that every game we can be on top of the other team."

Tottenham plunged into the relegation zone for the first time this season when De Zerbi lost his first game in charge. The Lilywhites showed great promise at the Stadium of Light, but Sunderland clambered to victory, courtesy of a solitary strike by Nordi Mukiele.

Van de Ven continued: "Obviously, he came in in a difficult moment as well because we hadn't won for four months, I think, or three months. So obviously, he came in a difficult situation as well.

"But the trust he gave us and so much confidence he gave us. I think you can see now on the pitch as well, the players start to play and start to feel like the confidence."

On what it felt like to fall into the relegation zone, Van de Ven said: "Yeah, obviously, you talk about it because you're in that moment, but the moment when we dropped into it, it's not that the boys came into the dressing room like, oh, we're in the bottom three.

"Obviously, everybody knew. Also, when we were 14th or 15th, we just knew like, okay, we need to do better. We need to improve because this is not where Spurs belong.

"So from that moment already, we knew we needed to improve so much more than we did right now. So it's not it was not a shock that we came into the bottom three because it was a reality.

"Obviously, everyone knew about it, and everybody was like, oh, we need to do way better than this because this is not where we belong."

In response to accusations that the Tottenham players have downed tools, Van de Ven said: "Completely doesn't make sense. Like I just it doesn't go in my head. Obviously, it's so easy to say things when things are going in the wrong direction.

"It's so easy to say like, oh, it doesn't matter for him, it doesn't matter for him, oh, he's leaving next year. It just completely doesn't make sense for me to say these type of things because. We just want the best for the club as well, because it's also on us.

"If we relegate, it's also on us. Even if you relegate, you go away, it's also on the player like [you have that mark on your record]. Exactly. And no one wants that mark.

"Trust me, every player who steps on the pitch just wants to win the game and always give 100 percent. There's no player in the team, and I'm quite sure on other teams, that are stepping on the pitch is like, oh, for me, [it] doesn't matter what's going to happen today."

Tottenham had a vested interest in West Ham vs Arsenal on Sunday, with their relegation rivals brutally denied a last-minute equaliser against their arch enemies

Tottenham fans and staff would have been celebrating West Ham's goal against Arsenal being disallowed, according to Wayne Rooney.

Though Hammers forward Callum Wilson's late strike being overturned has taken Spurs' bitter neighbours one step closer to the Premier League title, Tottenham's relegation rivals dropping points is far more important right now.

There was huge controversy surrounding the injury-time incident, with David Raya deemed to have been fouled by Pablo after a check from VAR. However, Rooney had no doubts over the decision when delivering his verdict and the stance of both Tottenham and Manchester City on what happened.

"It's a clear foul," he said on the Wayne Rooney Show. "You're going to obviously get a lot of people saying they think it should have stood because it's controversial and probably all the [Manchester] City players, staff and fans are going to say it should have stood.

"And then you're going to get all the Tottenham fans, players, staff saying it shouldn't have stood and of course the Arsenal fans and stuff.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"But it's a clear foul. I think you can clearly see the arm crosses his face and it impacts him getting to the ball. So I think it's the right decision. It's the one time I actually think VAR has done a really good job in such an important game."

The Hammers' loss has seen them remain in the relegation zone, and a victory against Leeds United will take Tottenham four points clear with two games to play, and with a far superior goal difference.

Following the visit of Daniel Farke's side to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Lilywhites travel to Chelsea, days after their FA Cup final before hosting Everton on the final day. West Ham are away at Newcastle United this coming Sunday and end the season at home to Leeds.

Roberto De Zerbi has overseen four games as head coach, with seven points picked up in that time. Despite only being at the club for over a month, he has been handed three separate injury blows with Cristian Romero, Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus all out for the season.

Dejan Kulusevski has been out with a knee injury for over one year, and De Zerbi has given a fresh update on his condition alongside a response to his World Cup hopes.

He said: "I don’t know the situation well. I hope so but I don’t know his injury and I can’t say nothing more. For me, it’s difficult to understand how he can play at the World Cup if he didn’t play any games this season.

"But I texted him after [the Villa game]. He told me in the next week, I think, he comes back and I hope he can be available to stay with us in the last game because he is an amazing player."

James Maddison has also not played in this campaign but De Zerbi had a far more encouraging update on his fitness with a cameo against Leeds possible.

He added: "It’s not so easy. Maddison has big experience, I think he knows better than anyone when is the right moment. We have to consider we are fighting for a big target but I think he can be important for us and for that I wanted him to be with the team for Brighton, Wolves and Villa."