Football London

Tottenham remain in the Premier League relegation zone after they were stunned by a stoppage-time leveller from Brighton's Georginio Rutter

Xavi Simons has vowed to not stop fighting as his Tottenham Hotspur side battle to avoid relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.

Spurs’ survival hopes suffered a fresh blow on Saturday evening when Georginio Rutter scored in stoppage time to rescue Brighton & Hove Albion a point. Simons had put his side on course for a much-needed three points when he scored a superb solo goal 13 minutes from time to put Spurs 2-1 up.

But Rutter levelled for the visitors in the fifth minute of stoppage time to leave Roberto De Zerbi’s side in the bottom three. However, taking to social media, Simons vowed: “We will NOT stop fighting Crowd was amazing today.”

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Speaking after the game, the Netherlands international admitted: “The goal in the last minute hurts. I think the fans were fantastic and we have to keep working through this.

“You could see the atmosphere that was in the stadium from the first minute and we as players feel that as well. What I can say is we are really working hard to go through this situation.

“The new manager is coming in, so we have to adapt on things, but we are going in the right direction and we are going to work hard for the last five games.”

Before he added: “I have been through a difficult journey I would say this season, but it is life and I am still young and I have to learn things.

“I am really happy the coach is here and for me especially. I want to play football, I want to score and assist and I want to help the team to go through this situation together.

“These are the kind of games I want to be on the pitch and show everyone I can help the team.

“I am just putting the work in morning, afternoon and night. I want to really help the team and that is the most important thing.”

While De Zerbi already believes he already has a 'special connection' with Simons, saying: "He’s lucky to work with me – not because I’m good, because I was number 10.

“What he thinks now, I thought 20 years ago. So, we have a special connection. I have a special connection with all number 10s I work with. I love a number 10.

“A number 10 has to understand that he has to score and he has to make assists, not just play to be nice to the people – goals and assists."

Before he added: "He played very well, a great game. I think he can play better and better, because a player like this, he needs to feel confidence from the manager and I stay here to transfer all the confidence he needs."

It's time to check in on Tottenham Hotspur's big group of loan players as they reach the business end of their seasons across the world

Promotion, relegation and pride are all on the line for Tottenham's loan players as their time at clubs across the globe starts to wind towards its end.

Roberto De Zerbi is now at the helm of Tottenham and the new Italian head coach will be wanting to look at various players inside the club this summer, potentially even more if the worst happens and the north London outfit contrive to get themselves relegated next month.

Spurs have 18 players out on loan and developing across different levels of the Football League as well as playing in Scotland, Germany, Italy and South America. Some of them earned promotion at the weekend to go on their CVs while others are battling away at the bottom of their divisions.

Here's how every single one of Tottenham's massive loan army got on across the the various continents in the past seven days.

Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg)

Luka Vuskovic's knee joint is believed to be "more severely damaged" than first thought according to reports in Germany. The Spurs teenager has missed the past two matches with a knee injury picked up in training on April 7 and HSV have gone from conceding 13 goals in 11 games with Vuskovic in the backline to conceding seven across two defeats at Stuttgart and Werder Bremen.

German media outlet Bild are now reporting that the joint in his knee is "more severely damaged" than originally thought and the youngster has not even been able to do any individual rehabilitation work on the grass. A comeback against Hoffenheim this Saturday night in Hamburg is currently looking doubtful with no timeline of return given by the outlet.

One criticism of Vuskovic has been his lack of pace and acceleration and the teenager admitted that he trying to work on that aspect of his game.

"I know my weaknesses. I've been training with a private coach for a while now to work on my speed," he said in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine. "As a footballer, you don't have to be a 100m sprinter, but a good start definitely helps. I'm constantly trying to improve my timing in certain situations. I often act on instinct, but some things just take practice.

"There used to be situations I wanted to anticipate, but sometimes I started too early, and sometimes too late. It's slowly getting better. That's especially key against fast and skilful strikers. If I know I can't catch my opponent, it can sometimes help if I take a step forward so he's offside."

The Croatian has made 27 appearances and played 2,460 minutes for the Bundesliga outfit and has attracted interest from big clubs aplenty.

Kota Takai (Borussia Monchengladbach)

Kota Takai finally returned to action at the weekend, stepping off the bench with three minutes of normal time remaining of Borussia Monchengladbach's 1-1 draw at home with Mainz on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Japan international had returned to the bench last weekend following a muscle strain but these were his first minutes on the pitch in two months.

Takai has made just seven appearances on this loan spell in the Bundesliga and has endured an injury-hit time since arriving in Europe last summer.

Mikey Moore (Rangers)

Mikey Moore had a weekend to recover from his hip issue as Rangers had no fixture. The 18-year-old has been playing through some hip pain in recent weeks and he was taken off at half-time in the win at Falkirk last weekend and later said on social media: "Time to get myself 100% to be able to give everything in these last five games."

Moore has played 42 games in a big loan season at Rangers, getting 2,398 minutes of football, with eight goal involvements in 28 Scottish Premiership appearances.

He will be looking to be fresh to face Motherwell at Ibrox on Sunday ahead of the huge top of the table clash with Hearts.

Manor Solomon (Fiorentina)

Manor Solomon will be hoping to feature in Fiorentina's Serie A game at Lecce on Monday night after returning last weekend from the bench following six weeks out with a grade 1-2 hip flexor strain in his right thigh.

The 26-year-old winger had become a regular starter with two goals in his previous 11 matches for the Italian side as a fixture on either wing.

Alejo Veliz (Rosario Central)

Alejo Veliz was also due to play for Rosario on Monday night as they host Sarmiento Junin in the league.

Veliz has scored four goals in 14 appearances so far this campaign and is expected to head to Bahia at the end of the season after Tottenham agreed a deal with the Brazilian side to sell Veliz once his current loan at Rosario ends. A £7.8m (9m euros) deal was agreed with £871k in add-ons (1m euros) plus a 20% sell-on clause.

Dane Scarlett (Hibernian)

Like Moore, Dane Scarlett and Hibernian also had a weekend off in the Scottish Premiership.

The 21-year-old striker will be looking to feature next weekend as Hibs welcome top side Hearts on Sunday. Scarlett has made 10 appearances north of the border with one assist and 463 minutes to his name. He has just a year left on his contract at Tottenham and a decision will likely be made this summer about what comes next for him after 27 senior appearances for the north London club.

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Will Lankshear & Jamie Donley (Oxford United)

Will Lankshear played 90 minutes and Jamie Donley 62 as Oxford United fell to a 1-0 defeat at Derby in the Championship on Saturday.

Oxford have just three games remaining to survive the drop. They currently sit in the final relegation spot, fifth points behind 21st-placed Blackburn Rovers but with a game in hand.

That game in hand comes on Tuesday night at home against play-off chasing Wrexham before another match at the Kassam Stadium against relegated bottom side Sheffield Wednesday. On the final day of the season they travel to promotion hopefuls Millwall.

Alfie Devine (Preston North End)

Lankshear and Donley's hopes were not helped by Alfie Devine and Preston falling to a disappointing defeat at home against strugglers West Brom at the weekend.

The 21-year-old midfielder started once again and played the full match to make it 42 Championship appearances, with eight goals and four assists from midfield with another two appearances in the Carabao Cup, plus an assist, and a substitute appearance in the FA Cup to make it 2,865 minutes in total so far in a great season for him.

Preston have an option to buy Devine this summer, thought to be around £4.5million, which is believed to be steep for the Championship side. He told Devine told BBC Lancashire last weekend that he would decide his next steps and take time to think about it.

Ashley Phillips (Stoke City)

Ashley Phillips missed out on Stoke's 2-0 defeat Wrexham on Saturday through suspension after picking up a second yellow card and a red card late in the 1-1 draw at home with Blackburn Rovers last weekend in the Championship.

The 20-year-old centre-back, who is on the shortlist for the EFL Championship's Young Player of the Season award, will be looking to return to the starting line-up for Tuesday night's home match against Millwall.

Phillips has played 41 games for Stoke this season, recording one assist and earning plenty of plaudits.

Yang Min-hyeok (Coventry)

Yang Min-hyeok can now include a promotion to the Premier League on his CV but was not involved as Coventry sealed it with their draw at Blackburn in the Championship.

Yang turned 20 in the week but was not able to celebrate his birthday with an appearance in a matchday squad, having been left out of the past 12 games by Frank Lampard.

In the first half of the season, the winger made 16 appearances for Portsmouth, scoring three goals with one assist, before switching to Lampard's table-toppers. However, it's been a horrendous loan move for the South Korean with just 29 minutes of football in the Championship for them across three matches. He at least can say he played for a team that won promotion to the Champions League.

Oliver Irow & George Abbott (Mansfield Town)

Oliver Irow got 11 minutes from the bench at the end of Mansfield's 2-2 draw at home against Luton in League One on Saturday night. The 19-year-old had been an unused substitute in midweek against Leyton Orient.

George Abbott however missed both matches as football.london understands the unfortunate 20-year-old midfielder has suffered a serious quad injury which will keep him out until pre-season, bringing a premature end to his campaign.

Yusuf Akhamrich (Bristol Rovers)

Yusuf Akhamrich's sensational first loan spell continues to get better as he came off the bench with 12 minutes and scored the winner for Bristol Rovers at Tranmere.

In keeping with his run of spectacular goals this season, this was another terrific solo effort from the 20-year-old winger. He drove at the home defence down the right before cutting inside past two players and curling a left-footed effort into the bottom left corner of goal, just inside the post in the 84th minute.

That brought a chorus of "Yusuf, Yusuf, Yusuf" from the jubilant travelling fans and made it seven league wins in a row for Rovers. Akhamrich now has six goals and two assists in 16 matches during his first loan move.

The Bristol Post's Will Murray handed Akhamrich a 7.5 in his player ratings with the write-up: "Another week, another game where Akhamrich comes off the bench and scores a decisive goal. You just knew that when he received the ball from Forde, he would deliver. The 20-year-old has so much talent and looks destined to play the game at a higher level."

Damola Ajayi (Bromley)

Damola Ajayi also gets to add a promotion to his CV like Yang but he at least came off the bench for the final moments as Bromley drew 0-0 with Cambridge United on Saturday afternoon and earned their rise to League One.

The 20-year-old winger has registered 30 appearances across his spells at Bromley and Doncaster Rovers in a big season of development across League One and Two.

Tyrese Hall (Notts County)

Tyrese Hall came off the bench for Notts County for the final 15 minutes of Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to Barnet in League Two. The midfielder will be hoping to ensure stuttering County remain in the play-offs and join Ajayi's Bromley in League One next season.

The 20-year-old Jamaica international has scored eight goals and provided two assists across 1,818 minutes in 38 appearances since heading out of Tottenham on his first loan.

Alfie Dorrington (Salford City)

To complete the hat-trick of promotion chasers, Alfie Dorrington got 18 minutes in the second half for Salford as they won 2-1 at Oldham Athletic on Saturday in League Two.

The 20-year-old centre-back ended his bench role in the past five matches with those vital minutes from the bench and now has 10 appearances so far for City since switching from Aberdeen during the winter window.

Aaron Maguire (Hampton & Richmond Borough)

Aaron Maguire played every minute of his first three matches for National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough but the 21-year-old goalkeeper has not been in their matchday squads since February.

The midfielder is yet to make a competitive appearance this season but was back on the bench at the weekend.

James Maddison has thanked Tottenham fans for their support and promised that the team will ‘keep fighting’ following his return to the matchday squad. The midfielder was an unused substitute for Saturday’s draw vs Brighton.

He is yet to make an appearance this season after suffering a serious knee injury during pre-season. The 29-year-old has stepped up his recovery in recent weeks by returning to training with his teammates.

In a boost to Spurs, Maddison was named among the substitutes for Saturday’s match.

Tottenham did look as though they were going to take a big three points from the game, but Georginio Rutter’s 95th-minute strike means that they had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

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On Sunday, Maddison took to Instagram to give his reaction. Writing on his story, he said: “Honestly, your support yesterday in the stadium for the team was absolutely mental.

“Although we are still well and truly in this tough moment, the boys will keep fighting. We appreciate our fan base immensely.”

Maddison will be hoping to get his first minutes of the season when Spurs travel to take on Wolves at Molineux next Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Reacting to the player’s return to the matchday squad, Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi said: "James is one of the leaders, one of the most important players in the squad.

"I think he can give us energy, quality, because when he will be available to play, his quality is amazing.

"In this moment, we need everyone, all players focused on Tottenham, and especially an important player like James."

The draw left Tottenham in the bottom three, one point behind West Ham in the table. The Hammers are in action tonight (Monday) when they travel to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park with kick-off at 8pm.

Should the Hammers avoid defeat, it would confirm relegation for Wolves, who sit at the bottom of the table, ahead of their meeting with Spurs.

The young Irish striker is reaching new heights since leaving Tottenham Hotspur and that culminated in silverware on Sunday

A long list of players have left Tottenham and won silverware but Troy Parrott's KNVB Cup triumph with AZ Alkmaar will have felt all the sweeter during a remarkable season as he continues to prove himself.

Parrott, who turned 24 a couple of months ago, left Spurs in the summer of 2024 to join AZ in a £6.7million deal with the north London club inserting a 20 per cent sell-on clause into the transfer. The young Irishman never really got much of a chance at Tottenham, playing just four competitive first team games and shipped out on loan to MK Dons, Preston, Ipswich and Millwall before a spell at Dutch side Excelsior Rotterdam opened the door to what came next for him.

Although the club eventually succumbed to relegation, Parrott gave them every chance of staying up with 17 goals and five assists for the strugglers.

With big Dutch sides and other European clubs sniffing around the Republic of Ireland international, Spurs decided to cash in rather than bring Parrott back into the fold. football.london had long reported that Parrott's hope had always been to break through at Spurs but it was not to be.

That Tottenham decision ended up being AZ's gain. His first season brought 20 goals and five assists in 47 games, including setting up a goal against Tottenham in the Europa League as the Dutch side reached the last 16 before finally succumbing to the north London outfit despite a first leg home win.

Parrott's first season at Alkmaar was just the appetiser though. Parrott's icing-on-the-cake goal in added time on Sunday not only meant a 5-1 scoreline against NEC in the cup final but it was his 30th goal of the season, along with 11 assists. One of those came in the final for Peer Koopmeiners' strike to make it 3-0 to AZ with 15 minutes to go.

Parrott's last-gasp goal was all about composure as he took down a looping deflected shot on his chest, cut inside and hit a powerful effort that pinballed between a couple of defenders and past the goalkeeper. The goal sparked wild scenes, Parrott ripping his shirt off and leaping into the section in front of the AZ fans before simply standing in front of them, his arms held aloft.

Those supporters know it is going to be difficult to keep their goalscoring talisman this summer despite his affection for them and the club. His six goals in three games for Ireland during their World Cup qualifiers, including two against Portugal, means 47 goal involvements already this season for club and country and there is every chance he will break 50 for the campaign. That's all the more remarkable when you consider he missed a month at the start of the season with a knee injury.

Parrott has scored the fifth most goals of any player across Europe's top 15 leagues, including league, cup and international goals.

Big clubs across Europe are duly circling. football.london understands Italian sides including Napoli have interest, as do Real Betis in Spain, Bayern Leverkusen in Germany and Ajax in the Eredivisie.

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Parrott has proved his worth after being jettisoned by Spurs and the north London club could do a lot worse than looking at bringing him back home, especially with that 20 per cent discount and his value estimated to be around 25m euros (£21.7million) this summer.

The Irishman does fit Roberto De Zerbi's brand of football. The prolific goalscorer is an energetic presser and counter-presser, with strong ball-winning stats and he has grown strong in possession as he has developed over recent seasons. The stats show that his goal threat and the quality of his shots are better than more than 80% of Europe's strikers.

After joining Spurs' academy at 16, he was considered one of the best finishers at the club, even during Harry Kane's time. The goals now show that with Sunday's strike his 50th for AZ in 92 matches, along with 16 assists. Parrott studied Kane at close range in training sessions and his ability to both score and create show that he has learned plenty.

Tottenham could go down this season. football.london understands Parrott would be keen on a return to a club he loved, regardless of their top flight status, if he was to get the chance to show what he can do in their shirt. The young striker was always desperate to be a success for Spurs and distance has not changed that.

Other Premier League clubs have also shown interest in him but firing the Lilywhites back to life would mean more. He is also a rarity in that he remains a club-trained player for the north London side.

Tottenham's recent recruitment has been all over the place and for a club that rarely goes back to those they cast aside, Troy Parrott could be the one who should never have got away but was brought home.

Roberto De Zerbi's Spurs remain a point from safety after the draw with Brighton and have a real battle on their hands to avoid relegation from the Premier League

Spurs have been told they should have been awarded a 'definite penalty' in their 2-2 draw with Brighton at the weekend. Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd felt Roberto De Zerbi's men should have been awarded a spot kick when Destiny Udogie was bundled to the floor just ten minutes into the game.

It could be a decisive moment in the relegation battle after the Spurs defender went down in the box under the challenge of Yankuba Minteh, but no penalty was given.

Instead, referee Stuart Attwell waved away the protests and Jarred Gillet on VAR sided with the official's on-field decision, with the score level at 0-0.

Speaking to Sky Sports Ref Watch, Bothroyd said: "That is a definite penalty, if that happens in the middle of the pitch, it is a definite foul.

"It is a definite penalty, he has come across him, he has done what he is meant to do, he has got his body across and there is contact. And from when there is contact, any contact, and he goes down, it is a penalty. I do not understand why this is not given."

However, former top-flight official Dermot Gallagher explained the decision and said: "The only certainty is the VAR [Jarred Gillet] is not getting involved because whatever the referee [Stuart Attwell] gives, he will stick with.

"It was just a tangle, they felt he was going down early. If the referee gives a penalty, the VAR will still uphold it, but it is on-field call."

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Xavi Simons enjoyed one of his best displays in a Tottenham shirt, providing the opener for Pedro Porro, before a wonder-strike in the second half, which looked as though it was going to be the winner, before Georginio Rutter's late equaliser.

The penalty decision wasn't the only contentious incident in the game, with some Brighton fans questioning why Simons wasn't shown a yellow card for jumping into the crowd to celebrate with the home supporters, while also taking his top off in the celebrations.

"He's committed two offences, but they're both the same," Gallagher said. "Over-celebration of a goal. The directive to referees is try not to penalise for one offence.

"I think the referee has been very sensible. Can you imagine of he had given him a second yellow card? There would be more kick back this morning than there is now.

"In isolation, they are both yellow cards. Because it's all interlinked, there would be so much more [controversy]. I get what people are saying about the emotion. Luckily, he wasn't already on a yellow card."

Bothroyd made his feelings clear and said: "If you send him off for that, it would be ridiculous. It's a rule that should be changed.

"You're jubilant, they are where they are in the league. How can you penalise that?"

West Ham United are in action tonight against Crystal Palace in their game in hand and they could move four points clear of Spurs with a win.

The Tottenham centre-back has been catching the eye in the Bundesliga but a knee injury is proving to be more problematic than first thought

Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic's knee joint is believed to be "more severely damaged" than first thought according to reports in Germany.

The 19-year-old Croatia international has been one of the standout players in the Bundesliga this season with his performances in the centre of Hamburg's defence, which has been one of the league's best-performing since he began to hit his stride as the season wore on.

Vuskovic has played 27 matches for the German side across this campaign, scoring five times and providing one assist and winning awards aplenty along the way.

The Spurs teenager's form has ensured he has been linked with a string of top clubs across Europe, including Bayern Munich, but he has missed the past two matches with a knee injury picked up in training on April 7. HSV have duly gone from conceding 13 goals in 11 games with Vuskovic in the backline to conceding seven across those two defeats at Stuttgart and Werder Bremen.

German media outlet Bild are now reporting that the joint in his knee is "more severely damaged" than originally thought and the youngster has not even been able to do any individual rehabilitation work on the grass. A comeback against Hoffenheim this Saturday night in Hamburg is currently looking doubtful with no timeline of return given by the outlet.

Vuskovic has proved to be a young leader in the HSV backline as well as a huge presence at both defending and attacking set pieces. Hamburg boss Merlin Polzin was hoping he would be fit for that 3-1 derby defeat at Bremen last weekend but while the teenager travelled with the squad he was unable to take part.

Despite speculation over his future, Spurs have Vuskovic tied down to a long contract and he spoke about what will come next in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine after being asked about his dream of playing with his brother Mario, who is set to return to Hamburg next season from a four-year doping suspension, having maintained his innocence throughout.

"In football, you never know. It could happen next year, or in ten years," said Vuskovic of playing with Mario. "I don't want to promise anyone anything. But it's my biggest dream to be on the pitch with him here in Hamburg, or later in Split. After this season, I'll be a Tottenham player again. I have a contract there until 2030."

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One criticism of Vuskovic has been his lack of pace and acceleration and the teenager admitted that he trying to work on that aspect of his game.

"I know my weaknesses. I've been training with a private coach for a while now to work on my speed," he said. "As a footballer, you don't have to be a 100m sprinter, but a good start definitely helps. I'm constantly trying to improve my timing in certain situations. I often act on instinct, but some things just take practice.

"There used to be situations I wanted to anticipate, but sometimes I started too early, and sometimes too late. It's slowly getting better. That's especially key against fast and skilful strikers. If I know I can't catch my opponent, it can sometimes help if I take a step forward so he's offside."

Roberto De Zerbi has made a good impression since taking the reins at Tottenham Hotspur, but he's still yet to win a game.

Tottenham Hotspur have already shown signs of great improvement under Roberto De Zerbi. The Lilywhites were just seconds away from clinching their first Premier League win of the year when they faced Brighton on Saturday afternoon, conceding an equaliser in the dying embers of stoppage time.

Despite the disappointing result, Spurs took a step in the right direction as they look to avoid relegation from the English top-flight. De Zerbi has been in charge for only a few weeks, yet he's already implemented some of his core principles.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Joe Hart explained how the Italian has prepared Tottenham for a relegation battle that could be decided on the final day of the season. The Manchester City legend was just as impressed with how De Zerbi managed to lift fans from their seats as he was with his tactics.

Hart said: "He has identified what he doesn’t want to see, but what he wanted to see was to get that stadium rocking. The way that they pressed was really good, really impressive in fact.

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"It is not the Spurs we have been used to; it is not the Spurs we have seen this season. He wanted to set the atmosphere: every single one of his players is running forward, running forward with intent, blocking passing lanes, and requiring Brighton to be perfect, and they're not giving up.

"It was a relentless press from Tottenham, and they're eventually going to have a lot of success from it. It's so aggressive. It's the passing lanes. It's the second press. It's the passing once they turn it over. It's a real threat, and that's where the first goal comes from."

Hart believes De Zerbi, who worked with many of the Brighton players that Tottenham faced at the weekend, used what he learned from his spell at the Amex Stadium to his advantage. The former England international continued: "I feel like De Zerbi knew he could really get at Brighton with his previous (experience), working with some of these players.

"You have got Bart Verbruggen, you have got [Jan Paul] van Hecke, and you’ve also got [Pascal] Gross as well. He knows that, if you can block those passing lanes, Verbruggen will dither.

"You can catch him. You can turn it over, you can get easy wins, and you can score big goals. I feel like be really played on that today, and it was a great example of the top work Tottenham did."

Xavi Simons fired Tottenham into the lead in the second half, shortly after a calculated press paid dividends. Lucas Bergvall dispossessed Van Hecke, who found himself swarmed by Spurs players just moments after receiving the ball in – what seemed like – acres of space.

If Tottenham can continue in the same vein, they'll strike fear into West Ham as the race for survival build a head of steam. Nevertheless, speaking to reporters after the game, De Zerbi reflected on what 'felt like a defeat'.

The Italian said: "Brighton is a very good team. In this moment, they are playing very well, but I think we deserve to win the game, especially if you consider we conceded a goal in extra time when losing one ball in our possession.

"Anyway, I'm very proud for the performance of my players. I'm very proud because they gave, all of them, their best, with the right mentality, with the right blood, with the right character.

"We played well with the ball. We played maybe better in the first half without the ball, because in the second half we suffered too much with the ball possession, but in the first half, we regained a lot of ball.

"When we scored with Pedro Porro, we regained the ball very high, and I'm disappointed just for the result, for my players and for the fans, because it was an incredible atmosphere today.

"In a very tough situation, a very difficult moment, but the stadium was great. It was amazing."

Tottenham Hotspur have five more Premier League matches to secure their place in the top flight for next season and stop the club's first relegation in 49 years

Tottenham Hotspur are still in the Premier League relegation zone after a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Leeds United won and are up to 15th after winning back-to-back league matches for the first time this season.

They were the only bottom-six sides to play on Saturday, apart from Spurs, but it was more bad news on Sunday with Nottingham Forest beating Burnley to move five points clear of the north Londoners.

West Ham sit just one point above Spurs ahead of their trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football. football.london compares Spurs' remaining Premier League fixtures to their relegation rivals.

Tottenham Hotspur's remaining Premier League fixtures

Saturday, April 25: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Tottenham Hotspur

Saturday, May 2: Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur

Monday, May 11: Tottenham Hotspur vs Leeds United

Sunday, May 17: Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur

Sunday, May 24: Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton

West Ham United's remaining Premier League fixtures

Monday, April 20: Crystal Palace vs West Ham United

Saturday, April 25: West Ham United vs Everton

Saturday, May 2: Brentford vs West Ham United

Sunday, May 10: West Ham United vs Arsenal

Sunday, May 17: Newcastle United vs West Ham United

Sunday, May 24: West Ham United vs Leeds United

Nottingham Forest's remaining Premier League fixtures

Friday, April 24: Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest

Monday, May 4: Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest

Sunday, May 10: Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United

Sunday, May 17: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

Sunday, May 24: Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth

Leeds United's remaining Premier League fixtures

Wednesday, April 22: Bournemouth vs Leeds United

Friday, May 1: Leeds United vs Burnley

Monday, May 11: Tottenham Hotspur vs Leeds United

Sunday, May 17: Leeds United vs Brighton

Xavi Simons was left with egg on his face when Brighton equalised in the dying embers of stoppage time.

Xavi Simons believes Tottenham Hotspur are heading in the right direction under Roberto De Zerbi. The 22-year-old midfielder thought he had fired the Lilywhites to their first Premier League win of the year on Saturday afternoon, but Brighton equalised in the dying embers of stoppage time.

With a quarter of an hour or so still left to play, Simons hurled off his shirt and threw himself into the South Stand after beating Bart Verbruggen from range. The Netherlands international curled the ball into the top corner, putting Spurs on course for a much-needed three points.

But Simons was left red-faced when the Seagulls capitalised on a mistake by Kevin Danso. Georginio Rutter, who had come off the bench to replace Danny Welbeck, levelled proceedings in the final minutes of the game, pushing Tottenham back into the bottom three.

West Ham have the chance to go four points clear of the Lilywhites when they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night. Speaking to SpursPlay after the game, Simons reflected on what was a hammer blow to his side's hopes of avoiding relegation.

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"The goal in the last minute hurts," said the Dutchman. "I think the fans were fantastic, and we have to keep working through this. You could see the atmosphere that was in the stadium from the first minute, and we as players feel that as well.

"What I can say is we are really working hard to go through this situation. The new manager is coming in, so we have to adapt on things, but we are going in the right direction, and we are going to work hard for the last five games.

"I have been through a difficult journey, I would say this season, but it is life, and I am still young, and I have to learn things."

Simons, who made his first start for De Zerbi at the weekend, outlined his desire to 'play football' and 'help the team'. On the Italian, he said: "I am really happy the coach is here and for me especially.

"I want to play football, I want to score and assist, and I want to help the team to go through this situation together. These are the kind of games I want to be on the pitch and show everyone I can help the team.

"I am just putting the work in morning, afternoon and night. I want to really help the team and that is the most important thing."

Speaking to reporters following the draw to Brighton De Zerbi explained why he's the perfect match for Simons. The Tottenham boss said: "He played very well, a great game.

"I think he can play better and better, because a player like this, he needs to feel confidence from the manager, and I stay here to transfer all the confidence he needs, because I was a player, I was number 10, and I think I know what he thinks, because I thought the same when I was a player.

"I think I'm lucky to have this player on my team, but also he's lucky because with number 10, I can understand better than other coaches."

On whether he feels more confident about staying in the Premier League, De Zerbi said: "Yes, I always thought and believed in the quality of the players.

"They played a good game, I think we can play better than today with much more quality and more calm, especially when we are in possession, but in this moment we need this spirit, this attitude and this mentality.

"It is not finished yet. We have another five games. It is tough. Every one of us knows it is a tough moment, a difficult situation, but we have another five games and 15 points.

"This team is able to win five games in a row. Now, it is difficult to hear my words, but if you watch the players and analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row.

"Not to be arrogant, because I am not arrogant, especially now, but we have the qualities enough to fight and win games in a row."

Tottenham conceded a dramatic equaliser against Brighton and remain in the Premier League relegation zone

Pedro Porro collapsed to the turf while Xavi Simons fought back the tears.

Just as Tottenham finally thought the tide had begun to turn, they were crippled by the ultimate stoppage-time sucker punch from Georginio Rutter.

For that reason, it may be time to accept that relegation from the Premier League is probable because Spurs cannot buy a slice of luck, even when they play well.

Buried beneath thousands of white flags and deafening noise pre-kick-off was one uncomfortable question. How could an arena as marvellous as the picturesque Tottenham Hotspur Stadium play host to Championship football next season?

That prospect, with just five matches to go, is starting to become very real. Still, in Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs have a reason to believe.

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There has undeniably been improvement, though they couldn't get much worse, yet the clock is ticking at a ruthless and aggressive rate.

On paper, Sunderland and Brighton were two winnable fixtures where Spurs had to get the ball rolling and put points on the board.

A single draw feels inadequate. Unfortunately, it's hard to shake the feeling that the Italian's arrival is a case of too little, too late.

They have won just twice at home in the Premier League all season and have not done so since December 6. It doesn't require a mathematician to tell you that is the kind of form that will get you relegated.

And what hurts the most is Tottenham done enough to win the game against Brighton but were undone by two clinical finishes at the end of either half.

It points to mental fragility and a team that does not know how to see out a victory. When Xavi Simons curled home his stunner, ripped off his shirt and flew into the South Stand at full throttle, it felt like Tottenham were finally primed to turn the corner.

You sensed at long last, the stars were finally beginning to align as De Zerbi executed a managerial masterstroke.

The Italian spent much of his press conference on Friday hinting Tottenham's marquee £51.8million summer signing would not start, indicating a "20 or 30-minute" cameo was far more likely.

When asked what Simons needed to do to finally arrive in the Premier League following a turbulent debut campaign in English football, De Zerbi's message was simple: "He has to score, he has to make assists and run without the ball. That's enough."

The Dutch attacking midfielder carried out De Zerbi's demands to a tee and emptied the tank, yet incredibly, it still wasn't enough.

Injured captain Cristian Romero was up on his feet after the 23-year-old's firecracker while his new boss steamed over to pounce on his bench and Spurs supporters amid the bedlam.

De Zerbi has given Tottenham a flicker of hope and if they are able to play with this level of effort, hunger and enthusiasm in their final five matches, they could be in with a sniff.

But a sniff is not enough for a club of this magnitude and failure to beat Wolves away next Saturday could effectively seal their fate.

Rutter's goal is the bitterest of pills to swallow and you cannot underestimate the mental toll that strike could have on De Zerbi's wounded soldiers from here on in. Just when there is finally light at the end of the tunnel, it turns out to be an oncoming train.