Tottenham Hotspur

We certainly had chances against a Leeds team who knew they were safe before the game and were on a run of four defeats in 22 in the Premier League and took the lead five minutes into the second half via Mathys Tel’s beautiful curler into the top corner.

Unfortunately, Mathys then caught Ethan Ampadu as he tried to clear his lines and a penalty was awarded via VAR, tucked away by Dominic Calvin-Lewin. It was then left to Antonin Kinsky to secure a point with a world-class late reaction save, tipping Sean Longstaff’s effort onto the crossbar.

The point means we move two clear of West Ham with two games remaining – West Ham go to Newcastle on Sunday, we face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night (8.15pm UK) and we’re both at home on the final weekend, 24 May (4pm) – we take on Everton, West Ham host Leeds.

Speaking to us afterwards on SPURSPLAY, Roberto reflected: “Honestly, we didn't play a great game, but I think we played a good game, enough to win. We could lose the game at the end, but if you analyse the numbers of the game, the chances to score, the corners, how many times we came inside of the goal area of Leeds, we created enough to win.

“I think we suffered too much, the pressure, because for the players, maybe today was the match point, and the speed of the ball, the order on the pitch, the decision with the ball and without the ball, we didn't show calm with the ball

“Maybe we were too nervous, but I'm happy for the spirit, for the attitude. We fought, everyone.

“After the Sunderland game, we couldn't imagine now to stay two points up. So, we have to be stronger, still positive to prepare for the next game, like today. Also, for West Ham, they have to play two strong and two tough games against Leeds (and Newcastle). I have no doubt they go to play in West Ham with the same spirit, with the same qualities.”

Having seen West Ham United lose on Sunday, we knew a victory would be a massive step towards survival and gave it a real go against Leeds United, with Mathys Tel scoring a stunning opener after a goalless first half.

But we were pegged back 16 minutes from time when the visitors were awarded a penalty which Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted. Both sides had plenty of chances throughout the game, Antonin Kinsky making two world-class saves while Joao Palhinha, Pedro Porro, Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur went close for us. The result continues our long run without a win in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but it’s now four games unbeaten going into the final two matches of the season.

With the South Stand tifo, pyrotechnics and the Spurs fans in full voice, the game got underway within a fantastic atmosphere and the players almost matched it with an early goal. With 10 minutes gone, Pedro Porro split the Leeds defence with a perfect pass to release Richarlison – on his 100th Premier League appearance for us – but former Spur Joe Rodon was across well to block his path and the ball ran through to Karl Darlow.

There was almost a disastrous moment in the 20th minute when Tel had nowhere to go on the byline inside our box and attempted a clearance across his own area which nearly fell perfectly for James Justin to head home, only for Kevin Danso to get the merest of touches to flick the ball away from the Leeds defender. And a minute later, the visitors went close again, Rodon with a firm header which was superbly saved low down to his left by Kinsky.

We responded well though with a string of corners after Tel and Conor Gallagher had efforts blocked before a swift break from Randal Kolo Muani ended with Richarlison’s shot comfortably saved by Darlow. The Leeds keeper was then penalised by referee Jarred Gillett for holding onto the ball for too long and, from the corner, Porro’s low drive was cleared off the line by Pascal Struijk with Darlow beaten.

We went close to breaking the deadlock again in the 36th minute, Tel’s cross falling to Palhinha who showed great skill to work the space only to then poke over the bar with his shot. Rodrigo Bentancur then headed wide from another corner as the chances started to pile up. But on the stroke of half-time, Destiny Udogie challenged Calvert-Lewin in the area with Leeds strongly appealing for a penalty although VAR ruled it was offside in the build-up and we went in level at the break.

It wasn’t level for long though. Six minutes into the second half we got the goal we craved – and what a strike it was. Porro’s corner was headed away by Jaka Bijol to Tel on the edge of the area and the French forward controlled with one touch of his right foot and curled home beautifully with his next, sparking fantastic scenes all around the stadium. A second almost followed soon after as Kolo Muani got clear down the right flank but his cut-back was blazed over by Richarlison.

With 20 minutes left though, a moment of controversy as Tel went for a high clearance inside our area as Ethan Ampadu came rushing in to head the ball. The Leeds player went down claiming he was kicked in the head and eventually, VAR intervened with the referee checking the pitchside monitor and awarding the spot-kick. Calvert-Lewin stepped up and slammed past Kinsky to level the scores.

It was a goal that flattened the mood inside the stadium although the lift we needed arrived with five minutes left when James Maddison came off the bench to great applause from the Spurs faithful – his first competitive appearance in over a year since Bodo/Glimt at home on 1 May last year. There was a further boost when the board went up with 13 minutes of stoppage time added on as we searched for the goal we so desperately needed.

We certainly applied pressure in the closing stages without really testing Darlow and, instead, it was our goalkeeper called into action, Kinsky making a truly sensational save in the 98th minute to tip Sean Longstaff’s fierce angled drive onto the crossbar. Longstaff was almost in again moments later at the back post but got it all wrong from close range. The drama went right to the very last, as we had huge penalty claims when Maddison appeared to be tripped by Lukas Nmecha, but it was dismissed after a VAR check. We had a succession of corners in the final seconds, almost 15 minutes added on by the end, but we couldn’t make any of them count and had to settle for a point. It’s still in our hands with two games to go and that might prove to be a valuable point on the board.

Line-ups

Spurs (4-2-3-1): Kinsky, Pedro Porro, Danso, van de Ven (c), Udogie (Spence 85), Palhinha, Bentancur (Bergvall 81), Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Tel (Maddison 85), Richarlison. Substitutes (not used): Austin, Dragusin, Souza, Gray, Sarr, Bissouma.

Leeds United (4-3-3): Darlow, Justin, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk (Bornauw 56), Stach, Ampadu, Tanaka (Longstaff 90+3), James (Gnonto 63), Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson (Nmecha 63). Substitutes (not used): Perri, Byram, Lienou, Chadwick, Piroe.

Match data

Goals: Spurs – Tel 51; Leeds – Calvert-Lewin 74 (pen).

Yellow cards: Spurs – Danso, Palhinha, Pedro Porro; Leeds – Rodon.

Referee: Jarred Gillett.

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Weather: Sunny intervals, light winds, 10 degrees.

Roberto De Zerbi has named an unchanged starting XI which started in our 2-1 win over Aston Villa last time out.

Conor Gallagher, Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur continued their strong midfield partnership in north London tonight following their impressive display at Villa Park.

On the milestone front, defender Pedro Porro is set to make his 150th appearance for the Club while forward Richarlison will make his 100th Premier League appearance for Spurs.

Starting XI: Kinsky, Danso, Palhinha, Richarlison, Tel, Udogie, Gallagher, Pedro Porro, Bentancur, van de Ven (c), Kolo Muani.

Substitutes: Austin, Dragusin, Bissouma, Maddison, Gray, Bergvall, Spence, Sarr, Souza.

Here's how the visitors line-up...

Starting XI: Darlow, Ampadu (c), Struijk, Rodon, James, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson, Bijol, Stach, Tanaka, Justin.

SPURSPLAY will bring supporters live coverage from Hotspur Way as Jamie Carr’s side look to hold off Aston Villa – who have built up some momentum of late – and cement second place in the Under-18 Premier League table.

Villa’s astonishing 8-3 win at Ipswich Town over the weekend means they’re level on points with us going into Tuesday’s action – while we take on the Baggies, they’ll be away to Crystal Palace. We remain ahead on goal difference, though.

Having run league winners Chelsea close over recent months, we’ve struggled for form lately and are now four games without a win, our last triumph at this level coming in the reverse fixture against West Brom at the start of April. For their part, the Baggies arrive sitting fourth in the table.

Tune in to SPURSPLAY just before kick-off at 1pm to watch the game live.

Leeds' safety was guaranteed after West Ham's defeat against Arsenal on Sunday. The Whites are on 43 points after 35 games - West Ham, with only two games left, can now only reach 42.

Daniel Farke' side have lost just four of their last 22 games in the Premier League, drawing 11 - and it all changed at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium in November. Leeds were trailing 2-0 at half-time, Farke switched to a three-man defence and Leeds stormed back, levelling at 2-2 before losing in added time.

That system has served Farke well since - they were in the bottom three after MW13 - they're now safe going into MW35 and on a run of six unbeaten, winning three of their last four.

Speaking about the test Leeds will provide, Roberto said: “First of all, we go to play against one of the best teams in this moment, because in the last five, six games they won against Manchester United, they drew in Bournemouth playing well, they won at home two times, Wolves and Burnley, and for that we have a big respect.

“Their style is very clear. They have a great organisation on the pitch, with the ball and without the ball. They have good players - Calvert-Lewin and Okafor, Tanaka and Ampadu are all very good players not to fight for relegation, but a higher level. The focus is on us, not because we become arrogant, but because we have the quality enough if we play like we know, like we can, to win the game, for sure."

The Yorkshire outfit journey to north London unbeaten in six league games to retain their top-flight status - which was confirmed following West Ham United's defeat to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon - with in-form attacker Okafor playing a big part in their recent success.

The Swiss forward scored in their 3-1 home win over Burnley last time out to take his league tally to eight this term but picked up a calf strain in that fixture which will keep him out for two games.

Gudmundsson has been the first choice at either left-back and left wing-back throughout his 32 top-flight appearances but was ruled out against the Clarets and won't have recovered in time for tonight's game.

Meanwhile, there is a doubt over central defender Pascal Struijk who missed training on Friday with a hip contusion although they are hopeful he'll be fit to make the trip.

The latest collection of photos sourced from a deep dive into our Mirrorpix photography archive takes a look at previous clashes against Leeds...

Most of these photographs have never been seen before!

Above - Delight for Teddy Sheringham as he celebrates the second of his first-ever Spurs hat-trick in a 4-0 win against Leeds in February, 1993.

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Presented on Friday 8 May, the talented young defender, who joined us in the summer from Feyenoord, was named our Adults Supporters’ Player of the Season with Clare taking home the Junior Supporters’ Player of the Season.

Aged 19 years old in her first season in the Barclays Women’s Super League, Toko hasn’t looked out of place on the biggest stage in England, producing consistent performances in our backline that has kept six clean sheets to date – nine in all competitions.

Since making her debut against West Ham United in our opening game of 2025/26 campaign, the Japan international has gone on to make 25 appearances in all competitions so far and opened her account for the Club in a 2-1 win over Liverpool in November, 2025.

Forming a formidable partnership with Clare in our backline, the 27-year-old has also been a shining light for us this term, with her experience and leadership a vital part in helping the young defender settle into life in England.

Clare was an ever-present in the starting line-up from the opening game of the season, featuring in 21 games in all competitions and playing every single minute in those, before she jetted off to the Women’s Asian Cup with Australia in March, where she suffered a season-ending injury that ruled her out for the closing stages.

Cathinka, meanwhile, picked up the fan-voted Goal of the Season award for her sensational 40-yard strike at Everton in September.

Collecting the ball just outside the centre circle in the Toffees’ half, she sent a wonderful lob over a back-peddling Courtney Brosnan and into the back of the net – her first goal in our colours at the time after joining from Hammarby in the summer.

Next, we caught up with forward Bianca Baptiste as she spoke about how the Club helped her off the pitch and reflected on some memorable moments during her time in Lilywhite…

First of all, how did your move to Spurs come about the time and what made you want to join the Club?

“I moved to the Club when I was 18 years old. I had a few of my friends join the team and I enjoyed football because of them, so it only felt right to go and be a part of it with them. I was reluctant at first, but I trained and I was really pushed by players such as Sam Pittuck and Jenna Schillaci after just one training session – and that is when I realised this is the team for me.”

From joining in 2010 to helping the Club all the way to the Championship and promotion to WSL, talk to us about your journey in Lilywhite?

“I had an amazing career and also amazing guidance from players and staff, especially as I grew up in an area that was involved in criminal activity. From playing at the back of train tracks to training at the Men’s training ground as well as playing matches at White Hart Lane, those were all experiences I will never forget and will take with me forever. I grew as a footballer and as a person - and it was all down to playing at Spurs.”

How much did the Women's game evolve throughout the years from when you first started?

“Like I said, we used to train at the back of a train track which had no grass, we used to pay to play and pay for our football kits. I remember the first day we saw our names at the back of our shirts and it was such a special and golden moment for us all. To now see how the Women’s game has evolved so that players don’t have to work another job, so all the focus is on their footballing career, just makes me proud to be a part of and involved in that movement.”

Do you have any standout memories from your time at the Club?

“I have many standout memories at the Club, but I have to mention two. The first was scoring and winning the league at White Hart Lane, while another one was nearly getting relegated. Now that might sound crazy to some people, but I really learnt from that experience at the time, it taught me about self-belief so I, and the team, could then go and show resilience to win the league in the following season.”

You scored 82 goals for the Club, is there one that really sticks out to you?

“We played against Blackburn Rovers in a third-tier play-off fixture on 28 May, 2017, after we won the Women's Premier League Southern Division and I scored two goals which helped us get promoted to the FA Women’s Championship for the first time in our history. The feeling, the atmosphere, I will always remember it - it still gives me goosebumps talking about it even now.”

Have you managed to follow the Club since and what have been your thoughts on the growth over the last few years?

“I have been following the Club and it has been amazing to see the growth, especially in Women’s football as a whole. It makes me so proud to know I was a part of that journey and to now see such great players representing the Club, and being proud to do so, is just incredible.”

What have you been up to since then?

“I have since played for Crystal Palace and Watford following my time at Spurs, but I have now retired. I currently work in a secondary school as a PE teacher and Head of Year and try to use sports to help students engage, not only in lessons, but in everyday life. It’s hard being a child in this generation, so it’s important that they are shown the right path in life as football did the same for me. I just want to give back to the community as best as I can.”

“That’s frightening,” Robbo admitted, speaking to us for our new ‘Five questions with…’ feature ahead of our huge Premier League clash against Leeds at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday evening (8pm UK).

Now a popular pundit across TV and Radio Five Live – Robbo, 175 appearances and one goal against Watford in his four years here, 2004-2008, and one of the most popular players to pull on a Spurs shirt in recent years – is preparing for a new adventure – covering this summer’s World Cup.

For now though, it was time to talk Spurs and Leeds – the importance of the fans and his praise for how Antonin Kinsky has recovered from that tough night in Madrid – something Robbo can certainly relate to after conceding a goal against Croatia in Euro 2008 qualifying where he went to clear Gary Neville’s back pass but the ball hit a divot, bounced over his foot and rolled into the empty net.

Let’s start with our fans – you had one of the best player-fan relationships of recent years – how important is that connection?

Robbo: “The rapport and the connection that I had with the Spurs fans - and I still do now - was probably the most special I ever had in my career. We hit it off from day one - they got me and I got them. I was this 23-year-old Yorkshire lad coming down to London for the first time. I just think when the fans can see that you care and you're one of them and it actually means something to you… I used to go and clap the fans, thanking them for taking the day off, paying the money for the ticket, paying the money for the travel, coming to support us and actually being there as part of our group, if you like, because you're a group together. You need that camaraderie, that togetherness and to have that unity and know that they've got your back. As a player, you have a responsibility to give the fans something as well. You’re putting the shirt on for their team and what that means to fans and to families and supporters, how ingrained a club is, not just on a Saturday afternoon or a Monday night, but in their life, 24 hours a day, 24-7. I was at Villa Park. I was on the gantry above the Spurs fans, and the noise was incredible. That support can really lift the team – without a shadow of a doubt."

Next up – Antonin Kinsky. You experienced that – let’s say 'negative' – spotlight playing for England against Croatia. Tell us what you think of how he’s come back from what happened in Madrid – it feels like you will know as well as anyone – and how did you deal with it after England-Croatia?

Robbo: “The mental strength that he's shown has been incredible. I was in the stadium in Madrid that night and I've never seen anything like it, one of the biggest blows you could have as a goalkeeper is to be substituted. To come back from that in the way that he has, at such a young age… to have that challenge so early on in his career, it's difficult for you as a goalkeeper, you're always on an upward trajectory and things have been going well – back home in Czechia, his club career, his domestic career, his international career, it's always been on an upward curve. Then you do get a hit like that. It’s coming, but you just don't know when it's coming. To have it so early on and the way that he's dealt with it has been superb. I've always been an admirer of his goalkeeping because I think he's got a lot of quality. I think he's a technically all-round, very good goalkeeper and he's going to develop into a top-class goalkeeper. It’s amazing what confidence can do for you and the mindset of a player when he steps onto the pitch is huge. Roberto De Zerbi can take a lot of credit for the way that he's handled the situation. He's had to because of Vicario's injury, but Antonin Kinsky deserves so much credit for the mentality and the mental strength that he's shown. For me, after England-Croatia, it was tough. Juande Ramos took me in and out of the team - my performances weren't at the level because that had affected me. That incident was an international match and on a much bigger scale. It affected me, personally. I used to drop the little one off at school or go to the supermarket - you'd see people talking and think, 'are they talking about me?' Everyone was talking about it. It was difficult, it affected me and knocked my confidence for over 18 months. At the time, my thinking was I need to keep playing – therefore I needed to get out of Spurs, because I needed to play regular first team football to get my England place back. Now, at 46, a lot wiser and with hindsight, I should have just sat on my hands, and I'd have stayed at Tottenham for another six, seven years because Harry Redknapp would have been the perfect manager for me - but we're all wiser with hindsight. I've told you before, the day I climbed those steps at Wembley to lift that trophy (League Cup in 2008), the best day of my career, I knew I was leaving the football club that I loved at the time, which was even harder.”

Tell us about Leeds – I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of them…

Robbo: “There was a pivotal point in the season when they played Manchester City away (in November) and they got absolutely thumped in the first half and they weren't even in the game. They were in the bottom three. They had City, Chelsea midweek and then they had Liverpool the following weekend. At half-time in the City game (Leeds were 2-0 down), Daniel Farke changed to a back three system, and they've gone to a different level from there. It's a system that suits the players. It’s not a back five, it's a three - the two wing-backs play extremely high. I did an analysis piece the other day for Premier League television, PLP, and the full-backs are the ones that are alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin – they are on a completely different level. That’s kept Calvert-Lewin within the width of the 18-yard box, where he does his best work from. They've been on this brilliant run that's looking like it's kept them in the Premier League, so, there's a lot of credit due.”

How do you see it panning out on Monday night?

Robbo: “It's massive now. I mean, the way that Tottenham played on Sunday night at Aston Villa, it gives fresh hope. Last weekend has changed things hugely, because Leeds are safe - okay, still not mathematically safe, but they are safe. The way Spurs played at Villa, all of a sudden now you look at those fixtures, and you think, ‘Leeds at home, yeah, we can win that’. You can see that Roberto De Zerbi has had time on the training ground with the team. At Villa, you saw the impact he's having already - now you go into those last three games of the season with so much more optimism.”

Finally, can you believe it’s almost 10 years since you retired (2017) – how are you enjoying your work in the media?

Robbo: “Nearly 10 years - it's frightening. Do I miss it? Not in the slightest. I absolutely loved my playing career, but I've got a wonderful work-life balance now and I've got a fantastic family at home, and I thoroughly enjoy the work that I do. I’m doing the World Cup for the BBC - the World Cup Final! I'm getting to see most of America and Mexico - New York, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Mexico, and I'm doing the World Cup final. I'm at games most weekends, most weeks I do games, cover all different leagues. I cover the Saudi League. I cover the Italian League. I do, obviously, all the Premier League. Fans will hear me most on Five Live in this country. It's just great. I look back with extremely fond memories of my career and think how lucky I was, but what I've got now, you know, I'm also very, very lucky.”