Tottenham's self-destruction continues in Premier League relegation battle 2026

Tottenham Hotspur wasted a chance to secure two points against Leeds United, dropping crucial points in the Premier League relegation fight.

De Zerbi's frustration on display The sight of Roberto De Zerbi shrouding himself in a black hood as he paced the touchline summed up another evening of self-sabotage for Tottenham Hotspur. The Italian coach’s anguish deepened when Richarlison blazed over a simple chance to put Spurs ahead by one after Mathys Tel’s stunning opener. Though the 2-0 lead might not have guaranteed victory, it could have eased the anxiety gripping the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. De Zerbi is fast learning that Tottenham offers no refuge from pressure, especially when the chance arises to open up a gap over West Ham United in the relegation scrap. ## Tel's reckless error costs Spurs dearly Mathys Tel’s rollercoaster night took a dramatic turn in the 74th minute when his rash challenge conceded a penalty, allowing Leeds United to restore parity from the spot and snatch a draw. Earlier in the first half, Tel’s erratic display included a bicycle kick inside his own box that struck Ethan Ampadu’s head, leaving the Leeds captain sprawled on the ground. The Video Assistant Referee only confirmed what the crowd saw, prompting De Zerbi to throw his hands up in despair as Dominic Calvert-Lewin buried the spot-kick. After largely staying in the background during his early Spurs outings, which featured vital wins at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa, this match saw De Zerbi’s volatile temperament on full display. ## De Zerbi's on-field confrontations escalate De Zerbi’s frustration boiled over as he protested sluggish play from his squad in the opening period, drawing a stern warning from referee Jarred Gillett after repeatedly stepping beyond the technical area. The Italian’s outburst peaked late in the game, earning him a yellow card as 13 minutes of added time stretched the tension to breaking point at the stadium. His exasperation at the final whistle was palpable, as the door to survival widened after West Ham United’s contentious defeat to Arsenal on Sunday suddenly slammed shut. Spurs missed their chance to open a four-point cushion ahead of the campaign’s final two fixtures. ## De Zerbi reflects on Spurs' pressure and errors Addressing the media after the match, De Zerbi admitted that the weight of their precarious situation may have weighed heavily on his players. 'We didn’t play a great game - we played a good game,' he remarked. 'I think we deserved to win anyway but maybe the pressure, the crucial game, the crucial part of the season, we suffered too much.' He praised his squad’s spirit and mentality, noting that 'we made too many mistakes. If we want to win we have to reduce the mistakes, but we knew before this game it will be tough until the end of the season, until the last game.' On Tel’s blunder, De Zerbi offered support, saying 'He is young and is a talent. I will kiss him and hug him. He doesn’t need too many words. He was sorry for the mistake. It can happen to a young player.' He concluded, 'I think we have to consider the result, but we also have to consider the performance. We played a good game, we are making points - in the last four games we made eight points.' ## Kinsky’s heroics keep Spurs alive Antonin Kinsky’s redemption story gathered pace as the goalkeeper produced two vital stops to preserve a point for Tottenham. In the first half, he denied Joe Rodon with a sharp header clearance, while in stoppage time, his stunning reflexes turned Sean Longstaff’s effort onto the crossbar. Those interventions could prove pivotal in the fight to remain in the Premier League. The path to safety now appears to hinge on the season’s final fixture. ## Spurs' survival hinges on final games Should West Ham United triumph at Newcastle United on Saturday, Spurs would slip back into the bottom three ahead of their next match at Chelsea on 19 May. The Blues would relish the chance to prolong Tottenham’s agony with a home game against Everton. If the campaign goes down to the wire, Spurs face an uphill task, having failed to win at home in the Premier League since defeating Brentford in December. Their last two home results under De Zerbi ended in draws, first against Brighton and then Leeds United. Desperate for a winner, De Zerbi handed James Maddison his first action since a serious pre-season knee injury. Maddison nearly forced a penalty after going down under Lukas Nmecha’s challenge, but the Leeds defender got a touch on the ball first. De Zerbi’s visible frustration mirrored the sentiments of Spurs supporters, as their bid to avoid an undignified Championship drop looks set to stretch to the season’s final day.