The Tottenham manager’s statement was both praise to Leeds United and a shielded message to West Ham
Roberto De Zerbi sang the praises of Leeds post-match(Image: Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Leeds United might have kept Tottenham Hotspur biting their nails for now but Roberto De Zerbi is sure the Whites will have West Ham chewing their fingers on the final day of the season.
Leeds were second best during Monday’s game but the resilience that has carried them through this season saw them earn a point down in London, meaning Spurs have gone just two – and not four – points ahead of West Ham in 18th.
It is that sustained character which supporters of both relegation-threatened clubs have longed to see from their respective teams. Both the Hammers and more recently Spurs have had periods of good momentum where this has been present, but nowhere near often enough.
Leeds found their own robustness long ago and have more-or-less kept it up for six months now, barring a goalless three-fixture run in March. After this blip, though, they have recovered to go seven games unbeaten with three of these being wins.
And so United have picked up 13 points across this period, which is the sixth-best return in the league – pick up the same amount of points as title favourites Arsenal and just one fewer than challengers Manchester City.
The picture is even more appealing when the time period is condensed to the last five games. Leeds sit fourth in that form table with only Man City, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest (on the same points but with a better goal difference) above them.
Monday’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham – which saw them go seven away games unbeaten – also means Leeds have tied the most away matches across the Premier League, with that being their ninth.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur(Image: Getty Images)
In the overall away table, Leeds sit 18th having won just two games on the road but of course this only means so much. Spurs sit fifth in that chart with West Ham in 16th. Both lie in the bottom four when it comes to home form, with Leeds in 11th.
The overarching point here is that Leeds are resilient and if they cannot win games are making sure they don’t lose them. Only Champions League-chasing Bournemouth, with 16, have more overall Premier League draws than Leeds’ 14.
And that is why Tottenham boss De Zerbi quipped a warning to West Ham post-match. He said: “We can’t forget their last [Premier League] defeat was March 3 at home. And West Ham has to play with Leeds.
“I think Leeds will play like today with the same spirit, the same qualities. They are doing a great season.”
The final-day warning for West Ham comes in several folds, beyond the form table. Leeds take confidence from their quarter-final win in the FA Cup, even if it was on penalties.
Since that game they have shown a lot of maturity. They survived a late barrage to hold on to a 2-1 win at Manchester United, the first victory at Old Trafford in the league for 45 years. They held Wolves at bay at 2-0 up to eventually win 3-0 and keep a clean sheet.
They showed courage to steal a last-gasp point down at Bournemouth. And after a 3-1 triumph over Burnley, Leeds once again withstood late pressure to secure a draw at Spurs. This team is indeed resilient.
And as Joe Rodon said after full time, “we don’t roll over for no-one”. Leeds still have personal pride and funds to play for, and the battling display at Spurs when safety was already secured shows United will try and spoil the party at the London Stadium too.
Form, safety and confidence is on their side. De Zerbi’s warning to West Ham might have been cheeky and covert but it nevertheless rings true.
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