From joy to sorrow for Tottenham Hotspur fans inside just twenty minutes. The emotional rollercoaster wey dem witness for Saturday match against Brighton show wetin dey ahead for dis team. Xavi Simons and him teammates dey celebrate well-well, and the fans join dem for one big emotional release, after the 22-year-old score one sweet goal wey put Roberto de Zerbi him side for front to win their first Premier League game since December 28.
But all that celebration come turn to premature tori when, for the fifth minute of eight wey dem add for stoppage time, Brighton own Georginio Rutter deliver one devastating equalizer. The goal leave Spurs still one point behind safety with just five games remain. Their situation fit even worsen as relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham never play their own matches yet. This one dey increase their fear of relegation from top-flight since 1977.
“It’s like a defeat because we concede goal for extra time, but we play great game,” Tottenham head coach De Zerbi tell BBC Sport. “It’s tough to accept. We have to be stronger than this moment we dey go through. We have to move on and prepare for the next game.”
Former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand talk to Sky Sports say, “If na for 90th minute, I fit understand am, but plenty football still remain to play. The reaction suppose be to keep things tight, but dem jump into crowd.” But ex-Premier League defender Ashley Williams tell BBC Sport say him get “no issue” with Spurs celebration. “The goal too important for that time. I know minutes still dey, but with the reaction and emotion, you fit see wetin e mean to the players,” Williams yarn.
Despite the strong disappointment wey full the air after final whistle, De Zerbi still believe say him players fit escape their dangerous situation. “This team fit win five games straight,” the Italian coach tell media. On top, that faith no even make sense. Spurs winless run for league now reach 15 matches, just one short of the club worst-ever winless league run wey dem set 91 years ago.
Na bottom club Wolves – wey go relegade if West Ham earn at least one point against Crystal Palace for Monday – be the team wey Spurs go face to avoid equalling that bad streak wey happen between 1934 and 1935. “I believe for my players and dem too must believe for me. We no fit think about past. We get enough time, we get enough quality,” De Zerbi talk. “I no like people wey dey cry or think too negative.”
Tottenham defender Pedro Porro tell BBC Sport say, “I think after the game we no get time for disappointment. For me and my teammates, the best thing na to keep pushing, keep going. I think the team today dey very good. The most important thing now na to stay positive.” Only Championship rock-bottom club Sheffield Wednesday don pick fewer points (four) than Spurs (six) across English football top four tiers for 2026.
De Zerbi don make am clear say him immediate attention dey on how to restore confidence for group of players wey don fail to win each of their last five Premier League games wey dem dey lead. Signs of encouragement dey for the former Seagulls boss as him players show the fight wey dem must show for their remaining games by competing well with the league form team.
Optimism dey for the team sheet too, as long-term absentees Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison fit enough to start and make the bench respectively. De Zerbi also praise the fans, wey him dey hope say dem fit recreate the same atmosphere for the club final home fixtures against Leeds and Everton. “We have to thank our fans. Dem fantastic, dem help the players well before, during and after the game,” De Zerbi talk. “The players have to feel lucky because e no normal for stadium to be like this if you dey fight relegation.”
And while De Zerbi dey put emphasis on being “father-figure” to him players for this time, instead of overloading dem with tactical information, signs don dey show say the team don begin mould to him high press style. Both of Tottenham goals come from high turnovers for Saturday, wey be double the amount wey dem don score from aggressive pressing all season.
Joe Hart talk for BBC Match of the Day say, “The way Spurs press dey really impressive and e no be something we don see from dem this season. Na relentless press. The whole stadium dey rock well-well.” Former Spurs defender Michael Dawson talk for Sky Sports say, “Dem have to take the positives. This one go feel like loss, e be chance to turn their fortunes around. That na something dem go have to deal with. I see the hunger, desire and commitment. De Zerbi dey passionate for touchline. I see something for that game – e don restore some belief, but this na starting block.”
Spurs go travel to Wolves next weekend, then face difficult trips to European hopefuls Aston Villa and Chelsea as dem dey search for crucial points. The task for De Zerbi now na to lift him players after dem come within only few minutes of achieving big victory, the devastation clear for him players faces at full-time whistle.
On wetin him tell him players after the game, De Zerbi tell Sky Sports say, “I tell dem to be strong, to follow me again because I want help dem. Dem fit change the mentality, that na the most important part. Now e too easy to think negative, but we have to dey focused and work to find condition to win again. Until the end we go fight for every game and give our best. If we fit give our best, e no finish yet. Today I see signs. I see blood, character, qualities, organisation with and without ball. Everything to reach our target.”
Spurs challenge fit still become greater before dem kick ball again, as Nottingham Forest go host Burnley and West Ham go take on Crystal Palace over the next two days. “Now dem have to sit nervously and watch Nottingham Forest and West Ham play,” former Premier League midfielder Andy Reid tell BBC Radio 5 Live. “If both teams win, this point go turn out to be not so great. Na anxious couple of days ahead.”
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