Roberto De Zerbi said the team ‘suffered too much’ but still felt we did enough to win as it ended 1-1 against Leeds United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday night.
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.”