Tottenham moved two points above the drop zone after drawing 1-1 with Leeds United at home.
Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-1 draw at home to Leeds United still leaves them in the driving seat of the relegation race. This is the viewpoint of Sky Sports commentator Alan Smith.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are 17th in the table after 36 games played. They sit two points ahead of West Ham in 18th place. A win over Leeds United on Monday would have put them four points clear of the Hammers, but they squandered that opportunity. Instead, Spurs now risk dropping to the final relegation spot, as West Ham takes on Newcastle United before their next game against Chelsea away.
With several key players back to fitness, and confidence much higher than it was a few months back, Roberto De Zerbi will be confident of guiding the club to safety. The Italian does think that the relegation battle will go down to the wire after his team’s 1-1 stalemate with Leeds United.
Pedro Porro focused on helping Tottenham achieve top-flight safety
Pedro Porro, who was outstanding against Leeds and earned an 8/10 rating, echoes his gaffer’s sentiments. The right-back is aware of the fact that the relegation battle will go until the final day of the season, and he is ready for that.
“On the one hand, we want the season to end, but on the other, we have to work until the very end. There’s no other option,” Pedro Porro said on his appearance on Spanish radio show El Larguero (h/t Cadena SER).
“We have to finish in the best way possible. It’s true that right now we’re two points above them, and they play before us. Now anything goes. We have to consider everything. That’s the reality, and everything counts.”
Tottenham will have to count on West Ham to slip up
West Ham’s last two games are against Newcastle United and Leeds United, while Spurs play Chelsea and Everton. Tottenham have an awful record against Chelsea, especially at Stamford Bridge, while their record at home this season is not necessarily cause for much optimism in their final game against Everton on the closing day.
So, De Zerbi and Co. will have to bank on West Ham to lose or drop points in one of their final two games, which would likely hand Tottenham safety if they grab at least a couple of points from their remaining fixtures. Nonetheless, Spurs will approach their games with the mindset to win, as they cannot rely on their relegation rivals’ results.