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Spurs have been told they should have been given a 'definite penalty' in their 2-2 draw with Brighton at the weekend. Former Premier League forward Jay Bothroyd believed Roberto De Zerbi's side should have been granted a spot kick when Destiny Udogie was brought down just ten minutes into the match.

It could prove a pivotal moment in the relegation scrap after the Spurs defender hit the deck inside the area under the challenge of Yankuba Minteh, but no penalty was awarded. Instead, referee Stuart Attwell dismissed the appeals and Jarred Gillet on VAR backed the official's on-field judgement, with the score locked at 0-0.

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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.

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"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."

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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."

Xavi Simons produced one of his finest performances in a Tottenham shirt, teeing up Pedro Porro for the opener before unleashing a stunning strike in the second half that appeared set to seal the victory, only for Georginio Rutter's late equaliser to deny Spurs all three points.

The penalty decision was not the only flashpoint in the match, with a number of Brighton supporters questioning why Simons escaped a yellow card after leaping into the crowd to celebrate with the home fans after his wonderstrike, removing his shirt 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."

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Bothroyd made his feelings abundantly clear, stating: "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?"

Former Tottenham sporting director Fabio Paratici is reportedly plotting a move to bring Lucas Bergvall to Fiorentina this summer. The Swedish international has endured a difficult second campaign in north London since his switch from Djurgarden in February 2024.

Bergvall, 20, has managed just 19 Premier League appearances during an injury-ravaged season, accumulating a mere 916 minutes of action. He returned to the Tottenham fold for the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest ahead of the March international break, before starting the 1-0 loss at Sunderland last Sunday.

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While Bergvall has fallen short of the impact he would have hoped to make this season, he is believed to have attracted considerable interest should he choose to depart Spurs. Both Aston Villa and Chelsea attempted to prise the Swede away from the club in January, though he elected to stay put until at least the summer.

According to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Fiorentina represents a summer "option" for Bergvall. The respected reporter claims the former Brommapojkarna man could be reunited with Paratici, who departed Tottenham for a second time in February, at La Viola. The Serie A outfit are widely expected to make a move for the midfielder at the conclusion of the season.

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Addressing the prospect of a potential switch to Fiorentina, Di Marzio said: "To be honest, Roberto De Zerbi and Tottenham are currently only focused on staying in the Premier League.

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"They are not listening to offers, and they have not even decided which players they want to keep or sell. If I were to name a club that I think could potentially sign Lucas Bergvall if Tottenham were to let him leave, I think Fiorentina is an option.

"Their sports director Fabio Paratici likes young players, and especially Bergvall. So, they could try to sign him if his future does not lie in Tottenham. If he is on the market, Fiorentina will try."

Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero and Yves Bissouma are amongst the players who could depart Tottenham this summer, irrespective of whether the club retain their Premier League status.

Paratici left Spurs at the conclusion of the January transfer window, having served as the club's joint-sporting director alongside Johan Lange. His exit followed shortly after his return to Spurs, which came after a 30-month FIFA ban for financial irregularities.

His comeback to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium raised eyebrows, with the announcement arriving midway through January as the club sought to bolster their squad. However, Paratici departed Spurs once the winter window closed and has since taken up a role at Serie A outfit Fiorentina.

Bergvall, meanwhile, will be focused on helping Tottenham preserve their top-flight status, with the club embroiled in a battle to avoid the drop. Spurs currently occupy 18th place in the table, two points adrift of 17th-place West Ham with six fixtures still to play.

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Roberto De Zerbi was handed a baptism of fire as Tottenham's new head coach on Sunday, but he was unable to inspire an immediate turnaround as Spurs fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Sunderland. The loss extended the club's miserable 13-game winless run, a streak that has persisted since December.

Tottenham's next fixture sees them host De Zerbi's former side Brighton on Saturday. Victory over the Seagulls would lift Spurs out of the relegation zone ahead of West Ham's visit to Crystal Palace on Monday.

Tottenham Hotspur star Richarlison has revealed he contemplated crashing his car into a wall while battling depression. The forward was hugely affected by the intense pressure following Brazil's elimination at the 2022 World Cup.

On the surface, the World Cup appeared to be a successful tournament for the 28-year-old, whose bicycle kick against Serbia claimed the goal of the tournament award. The Spurs forward had been entrusted with leading the attack for the five-time World Cup champions. He scored three goals in total but was unable to prevent his country from exiting the competition in a penalty shootout defeat to Croatia in the quarter-finals. The disappointment severely impacted his mental well-being, and Richarlison has candidly shared how his thoughts began to spiral.

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"One day, while driving, I thought about crashing into a wall," Richarlison told France Football. "Today, when I think about it, I tell myself it's pointless."

He continued: "After the 2022 World Cup, I fell into a depression. Every possible misfortune befell me: the elimination, my agent's betrayal, family problems, physical setbacks... For a year and a half, I suffered blow after blow every single day."

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Having joined Spurs from Everton in the summer of 2022, the striker ended his debut campaign with merely one league goal. However, through sessions with a psychologist, Richarlison regained a more positive perspective.

"It was the first time I had to deal with so many problems," he explained. "In all that chaos, I met an honest lawyer who put my affairs and assets in order. I worked with a psychologist and, most importantly, I met my wife."

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As the 2026 World Cup draws closer, the former Everton favourite intends to follow Manchester United midfielder Casemiro's advice and steer clear of social media should he earn a place in Carlo Ancelotti's squad. Yet this is not the first time that Richarlison has offered a glimpse into his battle with depression.

In March 2024, during an emotional interview with ESPN Brasil, the Spurs striker said: "I was reaching my limit, you know? I don't know, I'm not going to talk about killing myself, but I was in a depression there, and I wanted to give up."

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He continued: "Today I can say, look for a psychologist, if you need a psychologist, look for one because it's nice for you to open up like that, for you to be talking to the person.

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"Today a (psychologist) came to thank me for taking this to the world of football, to the world, outside the pitch too, because it is very important and, whether we like it or not, it saves lives.

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"I had this prejudice before, I thought it was nonsense, I thought I was crazy. In my family, there are people who think that anyone who goes to a psychologist thinks they are crazy, they think they are insane. But I discovered this and thought it was wonderful. The best thing, really the best discovery I've ever had in my life."

Tottenham players will suffer a huge hit to their earnings if the club is relegated this season. It was unthinkable before this season that Spurs would actually find themselves embroiled in a relegation dogfight, even with their 17th-place finish last term as a result of an injury crisis.

Yet, after two managerial dismissals and 32 matches played, Tottenham sit 18th in the Premier League and two points adrift of safety. Even the recent arrival of manager Roberto De Zerbi has failed to spark a turnaround, as the Lilywhites slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland at the weekend, officially dropping into the relegation zone for the first time. With captain Cristian Romero limping off the pitch in tears, there is precious little for supporters to feel encouraged about regarding a side that has not claimed a single Premier League victory in 2026. However, the players still have considerable motivation to dig deep across the remaining six fixtures — not just for the sake of their professional pride but for their bank balances too.

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Spurs bosses have put in place a strict financial contingency plan that would see their high-earning squad take a substantial wage cut should they drop down to the Championship. Were the unthinkable to occur, players remaining at the club could see their weekly wages reduced by as much as 50 per cent, according to The Athletic. For example, summer signing Xavi Simons and captain Romero would face the steepest wage reductions, with their current £195,000 deals each dropping to £97,500 per week.

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This 'relegation protection' clause exists to safeguard the club's financial stability. It is understood to be a significantly higher reduction than the standard industry average, which usually sees players lose around 20 to 30 per cent of their salary following a drop to the English second tier.

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Players would have been fully aware of such clauses linked to poor performances on the pitch when originally putting pen to paper at the club. The measure would also relieve Spurs of any immediate pressure to hastily sell players in the event of relegation — though there remains a very real possibility that a number of players would refuse to accept such a dramatic reduction in their pay packet and could push for a transfer elsewhere.

Express Sport now takes a look at Spurs' wage bill in comparison to what it could look like by the summer following a 50 per cent decrease on all player earnings, with the current 2026/27 payroll figures provided by Spotrac:

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Xavi Simons: £195,000 > £97,500

Cristian Romero: £195,000 > £97,500

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James Maddison: £170,000 > £85,000

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Conor Gallagher: £160,000 > £80,000

Mohamed Kudus: £150,000 > £75,000

Dominic Solanke: £140,000 > £70,000

Dejan Kulusevski: £110,000 > £55,000

Micky van de Ven: £90,000 > £45,000

Richarlison: £90,000 > £45,000

Pedro Porro: £85,000 > £42,500

Radu Dragusin: £85,000 > £42,500

Guglielmo Vicario: £75,000 > £37,500

Destiny Udogie: £75,000 > £37,500

Archie Gray: £75,000 > £37,500

Pape Sarr: £70,000 > £35,000

Kevin Danso: £65,000 > £32,500

Manor Solomon: £60,000 > £30,000

Lucas Bergvall: £60,000 > £30,000

Mathys Tel: £55,000 > £27,500

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Djed Spence: £40,000 > £20,000

Roberto De Zerbi has just six matches remaining to steer Tottenham Hotspur away from the drop zone or face the prospect of Championship football next season. The Italian's hopes of getting off to a fast start were shattered at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, as Nordi Mukiele's heavily deflected strike proved the decisive blow in a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.

With West Ham United leapfrogging them on Friday following a commanding 4-0 thrashing of rock-bottom Wolves, the Lilywhites now find themselves languishing in 18th place in the Premier League and two points adrift of safety. Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, meanwhile, each sit three points clear of Spurs. The saving grace is that the season is not yet over, though Spurs will now need results elsewhere to go in their favour if they are to avoid their first season outside the Premier League since its formation in 1992. With that in mind, here is a breakdown of Spurs' remaining top-flight fixtures compared to the sides they are currently battling to stay above...

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Tottenham Hotspur's remaining Premier League fixtures

Saturday, April 18: Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton

Saturday, April 25: Wolves vs Tottenham Hotspur

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Saturday, May 2: Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur

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Monday, May 11: Tottenham Hotspur vs Leeds United

TBC: Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur

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Sunday, May 24: Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton

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West Ham United's remaining Premier League fixtures

Monday, April 20: Crystal Palace vs West Ham United

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Saturday, April 25: West Ham United vs Everton

Saturday, May 2: Brentford vs West Ham United

Sunday, May 10: West Ham United vs Arsenal

TBC: Newcastle United vs West Ham United

Sunday, May 24: West Ham United vs Leeds United

Nottingham Forest's remaining Premier League fixtures

Sunday, April 19: Nottingham Forest vs Burnley

Friday, April 24: Sunderland AFC vs Nottingham Forest

Monday, May 4: Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest

Sunday, May 10: Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United

TBC: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

Sunday, May 24: Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth

Leeds United's remaining Premier League fixtures

Monday, April 13: Manchester United vs Leeds United

Saturday, April 18: Leeds United vs Wolves

Wednesday, April 22: Bournemouth vs Leeds United

Friday, May 1: Leeds United vs Burnley

Monday, May 11: Tottenham Hotspur vs Leeds United

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TBC: Leeds United vs Brighton

As the Sunderland fans inside the Stadium of Light belted out a rendition of Elvis Presley's 'Wise Men Say', it was the Tottenham boss who was after 'A Little Less Conversation' and a lot more action from his players. Despite being afforded a three-week gap from their last outing in the Premier League, the performance the Spurs players served up was nothing short of a disgrace.

It's been nothing but conversation from this set of Tottenham players. Talk of righting the wrongs, playing for the badge and dragging Spurs out of a position they never should've found themselves in to begin with. If points were handed out for empty promises, Tottenham's players would be league champions.

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Is it any surprise that Roberto De Zerbi refused Spurs' approach after Thomas Frank's sacking, and was once again hesitant about taking the reins after the failed Igor Tudor experiment? Goodness knows what sort of promises were made by the hierarchy to persuade De Zerbi to take charge, but just one match into his new job, it would appear the Italian's biggest fear has already come true.

If it wasn't already clear, Tottenham aren't too good to go down. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

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There would've been grassroots football teams up and down the country this weekend that played with more intensity than the so-called professionals wearing yellow at the Stadium of Light. The Europa League winners (it's even difficult to believe that's a real statement) approached the match as if they were a side already on the beach and jostling for positions in mid-table.

It was only when the fourth official lifted the board to show an additional 11 minutes would be added that the north Londoners began to up the ante. Of course, it rendered meaningless, because the reality is Tottenham are rubbish, and rubbish teams get relegated.

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Where next on the never-ending journey of previously undiscovered lows for Spurs? To prevent the final stop being the Championship, it starts at home to De Zerbi's old club, Brighton, in the Saturday evening kick-off. If there isn't a win in that game, or the following outing away to Wolves, it could genuinely be curtains for Spurs.

The highly anticipated Premier League clash between Sunderland and Tottenham is scheduled for Sunday, April 12, 2026. This fixture sees the Black Cats host Spurs at the Stadium of Light, with both teams eager to secure a vital victory in the final stretch of the season.

Football fans in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports. The broadcaster has selected this game as part of its Super Sunday coverage. You can find the action on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with comprehensive build-up starting well ahead of the first whistle.

For those who prefer the highest possible quality, the game delivers stunning 4K resolution and high dynamic range, ensuring every moment will be available on Sky Sports Ultra HDR. This provides stunning 4K resolution and high dynamic range, ensuring that every piece of action at the Stadium of Light is delivered with incredible clarity to your living room.

If you are on the move, you can stream the match live via the Sky Go app. This service is available on smartphones, tablets, and laptops for existing Sky Sports customers. It allows you to keep track of results even if you aren't able to sit in front of a traditional television set.

Non-Sky subscribers can still watch the game by purchasing a NOW Sports Membership. This flexible option offers Day or Month Passes, granting full access to all Sky Sports channels. It is the best way to watch without a long-term contract, providing high-quality streaming across various supported devices and smart TVs.

International fans looking to tune in from abroad should check their local listings, as the game is being broadcast globally. For instance, viewers in the USA can find the game on platforms like USA Network or Fubo, while other overseas territories will carry the feed through their respective Premier League rights holders.

For those unable to watch the live broadcast, highlights will be available shortly after the final whistle. Short clips are usually posted on the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel, while Match of the Day 2 on the BBC will provide an in-depth breakdown of the Sunday action later that evening.

Live audio commentary will also be available for fans who prefer the radio. BBC Radio 5 Live and TalkSPORT provide live updates and commentary for major Premier League fixtures, ensuring you stay informed on the scoreline and key match events throughout the full ninety minutes of play.

Andy Robertson has verbally agreed to join Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer this summer, according to reports. The Scotland captain will depart Liverpool after nine years at Anfield when his current deal runs out at the end of the campaign.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims the 32-year-old left-back has "verbally agreed" to join Spurs - provided they avoid relegation from the Premier League this season. Spurs slipped into the relegation zone courtesy of West Ham's win over Wolves on Friday night.

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The north London club had made enquiries about snapping up Robertson during the January transfer window, only for the Reds to swiftly dismiss the approach.

It is now claimed that Robertson has an agreement in place to make the switch to Roberto Di Zerbi's side as a free agent, should the Italian manager keep them in the top flight.

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Spurs dropped to 18th following West Ham's emphatic 4-0 thrashing of Wolves on Friday night. They do not travel to Sunderland until Sunday, meaning they could find themselves entrenched in the drop zone this weekend depending on their own result on Wearside and how other fixtures pan out.

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Robertson had previously been linked with a return to boyhood club Celtic, nearly two decades after being released as a 15-year-old.

While he has admitted it is a move he has frequently contemplated, Robertson revealed there would come a point where he would not wish to make the switch and risk being a pale imitation of his former self.

He said: "Every time I watch Celtic, I consider it. When you watch them and see a packed Celtic Park... as a fan you always have that dream. Ideally I want to finish my career here at Liverpool. If I can stay at the top of my game, at the top of the tree my whole career, that's the route I want to go down.

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"But also, when I look at Celtic and when I was growing up, I was thinking I wanted to give them my best years. When I was at Queen's Park I had a dream of still playing with Celtic and always dreamed of giving my best years to Celtic.

"And now I don't want to go as a 34 or 35-year-old old guy that my uncles start hating on me because I can't move any more! Time will tell. I'm very much a person who lives in the moment."

James Maddison is drawing ever closer to making his comeback from the serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury he suffered during pre-season. The 29-year-old was stretchered off during Tottenham's pre-season fixture against Newcastle United in Seoul and has been absent for the vast majority of the Premier League campaign.

During his time on the sidelines, Spurs have parted ways with two managers, Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, with Roberto De Zerbi now occupying the dugout. Since being sidelined, Maddison has been chronicling his recovery following surgery on his cruciate knee injury. In a fresh update on Instagram, the midfielder shared a clip of Spurs staff filming him as they zoomed in on the muscle in his leg. "Admin needs to work on the angle of videoing," he wrote, followed by laughing and muscle emojis.

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This follows footage shared by Spurs of Maddison training in the gym, which rapidly went viral. Supporters have been taken aback by the striking difference in muscle mass visible in his legs.

One fan commented: "You could see Maddison has lost a lot weight, especially in his leg muscles. When he is fit, he is a joy to watch. I wish him a speedy return," while another added: "Something wrong with his legs."

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A third added: "Looking at that, it's going to be a while still. Poor guy." Another observed: "If this is a recent piece of footage it's going to be a bit longer... The difference in his legs tell you that."

The former Leicester City player disclosed how isolated he has felt at times and his struggle with the psychological aspect throughout his recovery. "It was painful," he said. "It was difficult to accept, with a big season ahead, a World Cup year.

The Masters 2026

"But it is what it is, you have to deal with it, crack on with the rehab and smile in the face of adversity. I've been working hard every day, head down, grit my teeth and get through it.

"There have been some tough days, some dark days, lonely days. But I'll get there and be back better and stronger, I have no doubt."

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GRAND NATIONAL 2026

Despite returning to the pitch in recent weeks, he is still anticipated to remain unavailable for the remainder of the campaign, with the club unlikely to take any chances.

Sean Dyche's striking Tottenham revelation days after Roberto De Zerbi appointment  Daily Express