Tottenham dropped crucial points in the relegation battle after drawing 1-1 with Leeds United.
Tottenham Hotspur missed a chance to extend their lead to four points over West Ham as they drew 1-1 with Leeds United at home on Monday evening.
Leeds United were already safe, so all focus was on whether or not Spurs could pull away from West Ham, who were defeated 1-0 by Arsenal on Sunday. After a goalless first half, the North Londoners took the lead through a brilliant effort from Mathys Tel, but an attempted overhead kick from the forward in his box led to an infringement that allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to equalise from the spot in the 74th minute.
Antonin Kinsky made a stunning save to deny Sean Longstaff from close range, keeping the scoreline 1-1. Spurs were denied a penalty deep into stoppage time after substitute James Maddison went down under the challenge of Lukas Nmecha. Following a VAR review, it was ruled that Nmecha had got a touch on the ball before tripping Maddison, as Leeds United withheld a late onslaught to deny the hosts all three points.
Roberto De Zerbi gives verdict on Tottenham’s draw with Leeds United
Roberto De Zerbi has now given his verdict on his team’s performance against Leeds United. The Tottenham boss felt his team had big pressure to perform and delivered a good game, not a “great game”. He fears the relegation fight is going down to the wire on the final day of the season after the 1-1 draw with the Whites.
“We played a good game, not great but there was big pressure. We didn’t play calm,” Roberto De Zerbi said in an interview with Sky Sports (h/t BBC Sport).
“We wanted to win immediately. In the end, I think we have to fight until the end of the season. Leeds played a good game.”
Tottenham missed a glorious chance to go four points clear of West Ham. Spurs took the lead but could only draw against Leeds, meaning De Zerbi’s side are now only two points clear of the drop zone with two to play in the Premier League season.
It felt like the Tottenham players started tiring after the 65th-minute mark, especially the likes of Conor Gallagher, Mathys Tel, Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur. Daniel Farke’s side started finding gaps behind the hosts’ midfield and launched direct balls to Calvert-Lewin. Following Nmecha’s entry, the Whites had two target men who were strong in the air, and they caused problems to Tottenham’s backline.
In the end, it could be argued that a 1-1 stalemate was a fair result.