Roberto De Zerbi expects Tottenham relegation fight to go down to last minute
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi believes the officials “suffered the pressure” following VAR controversy in the West Ham-Arsenal game after Spurs dropped crucial points against Leeds in the battle for Premier League survival.
De Zebri felt the referee Jarred Gillet was “not calm” during the 1-1 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which featured yet more drama a day after West Ham saw a last-minute equaliser ruled out in the “biggest decision in VAR history”.
After giving Spurs the lead with a fine finish, Mathys Tel’s attempted overhead kick clearance struck Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu in the face, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring from the spot. Then, in the 13th minute of stoppage time, James Maddison went down in the box but VAR deemed Lukas Nmecha played the ball.
“I think they were not calm today, maybe they suffered the pressure of yesterday’s Arsenal game,” De Zerbi said when asked about the decisions from the officials. “For sure we suffered the pressure today. We didn’t play with passion with the ball, too frenetic but also the referee was not calm today.”
Spurs were bidding to move four points clear of West Ham with two games to go, but are now just two points clear of the Hammers ahead of their final two games of the season: an away trip to Chelsea and a home game against Everton on the final day. West Ham, meanwhile, go to Newcastle and then host Leeds.
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(Getty)
Jamie Braidwood12 May 2026 08:41
Is relegation battle going down to the final day? De Zerbi expects so
If West Ham beat Newcastle on Sunday, it will pile the pressure on Tottenham ahead of a meeting with Chelsea in midweek. Equally, though, a defeat at St James’ Park would allow Spurs to secure safety with a game to spare.
“I think we are in the right way,” De Zerbi said. “It will be tough until the last minute against Everton, for sure.
“But after the Sunderland game, it was a difficult to imagine ourselves before the last two games to stay up two points of West Ham.
“I remember very well the game in Sunderland was my first game and we can’t forget what was the situation just 15 days ago. We can’t forget after four games in a row we made eight points.
“And West Ham they have to also play Leeds at home. I think Leeds they will play like today with the same spirit, with the same qualities.”
Jamie Braidwood12 May 2026 08:21
Spurs draw offers West Ham lifeline in relegation fight
Tottenham Hotspur
Position: 17th | Played: 36 | Points: 38 | GD: -9
- 19 May – Chelsea (A)
- 24 May – Everton (H)
West Ham United
Position: 18th | Played: 36 | Points: 36 | GD: -20
- 17 May – Newcastle (A)
- 24 May – Leeds (H)
Jamie Braidwood12 May 2026 08:06
‘Save of the season!’: Will Kinsky rescue Tottenham from relegation?
Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky could have a remarkable redemption this season after his save rescued a point for Spurs by denying Sean Longstaff at the death.
Kinsky, humiliated by Igor Tudor in the defeat at Atletico Madrid, made a stunning reflex stop to tip Longstaff’s near-post shot onto the bar in stoppage time.
“The save from Kinsky onto the bar from Longstaff is one of the saves of the season,” Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports.
“The two saves he made, one in the first half, one in the second half, have made sure his team has got what could be a vital point.
“The only save that I can think that made me go ‘Wow’ was Jordan Pickford at Newcastle. That is certainly up there.”
(Reuters)
Jamie Braidwood12 May 2026 07:53
Nmecha ‘played the ball’ in last-minute Tottenham penalty claim
Roberto De Zerbi did not want to be drawn on another late penalty incident after the returning James Maddison went down in the box under the challenge of Leeds defender Lukas Nmecha.
The incident was checked by VAR and quickly waved away.
The Premier League Match Centre said: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Tottenham Hotspur was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Nmecha played the ball.”
De Zerbi did praise Maddison’s impact as the midfielder made his first competitive appearance in 12 months following injury. “Great news for us. He is a different player as a quality, as a guy and he will be I hope crucial for us,” De Zerbi said.
James Maddison appealed for a penalty but it was deemed Lukas Nmecha ‘played the ball’ (Getty)
Jamie Braidwood12 May 2026 07:49
Roberto De Zerbi backs Mathys Tel after conceding second-half penalty
Roberto De Zerbi said he would support Mathys Tel with a “kiss and a hug” after the Tottenham forward conceded a penalty with a high foot. Having scored a sensational opening goal, Tel went from hero to zero when he caught Ethan Ampadu while attempting an overhead kick.
But the young winger will be needed if Tottenham are to get themselves out of relegation trouble, and De Zerbi said: “A big hug and a big kiss. Nothing more because he is a young player, he is a big talent and he score a great goal.
“He made a mistake for the experience because he has not the right experience and he has not played too many games in his career and we have to accept, but I am proud and I am happy for the mentality we show.”
(Getty)
Jamie Braidwood12 May 2026 07:43
Leeds reveal Ampadu’s injury after Tel’s ‘crazy’ overhead kick
Leeds have posted a picture revealing a small cut to Ethan Ampadu’s head after the captain was caught by Mathys Tel’s high foot in the incident that led to the visitors receiving a second-half penalty.
Although accidental, Tel was ruled to have committed a foul on Ampadu due to the high foot. On Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher said it was a “crazy decision” to attempt the overhead kick.
“De Zerbi will be furious – but he’s got to remember he’s a young attacking player who has actually made a massive difference to Spurs right now.
“He came off the bench at Wolves, got the corner and the winning goal. He set up the second goal at Villa, and he scored the goal tonight.
“He needs him, because they haven’t got players with injuries but there’s a player there. We’ve seen that in the last couple of games.”
Jamie Braidwood12 May 2026 07:38
Roberto De Zerbi feels officials ‘suffered the pressure’ of West Ham-Arsenal controversy
Roberto De Zerbi on the match officials following his side’s 1-1 draw against Leeds.
“The first minute until the end of the game the referee went to me, ‘if you go out, yellow card,’ and I think they were not calm today. Maybe they suffered the pressure of yesterday the West Ham-Arsenal game and VAR.
“For sure we suffered the pressure today. We didn’t play with passion with the ball, too frenetic but also the referee was not calm today.”
(PA Wire)
Jamie Braidwood12 May 2026 07:34
The Mathys Tel moment of madness that could cost Tottenham in Premier League relegation battle
Having provided a sublime opener, Tel’s foolish attempt at an overhead kick in his own box cost Spurs two points.
Miguel Delaney12 May 2026 07:10
Crucial moments in Tottenham 1-1 Leeds
Flo Clifford12 May 2026 06:30