Spurs crushed by late equaliser as Rutter leaves them in relegation zone

0:07Welcome to the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. We were in North London for Saturday night football to see Spurs take on Brighton. This is how we saw things at the end of the night.

0:28Spurs' longest winless run for 91 years goes on but so close they came to ending that barren spell it's now 15 games without a league win but they gave it their all here a much improved performance twice they led but twice they couldn't hold on Pedro Porro teed up brilliantly by Siemens in the first half he headed home his first Premier League goal of the season but then in stoppage time at the end of the first half there was an excellent answer from Brighton a brilliant volley from Mitoma 1-1 at half time Xavi Siemens' virtuoso goal raised the roof it looked like that might be enough and as the minutes ticked on it at a time at the end up stepped Ruter Danso dispossessed Ruter making no mistake 2-2 the final scoreline a point not enough and it'll feel Alan like a defeat It will feel like a defeat but they've got to try and take the positives from it the performance as you mentioned Bill a couple of goals they've got to judge it as a point gained as much as it feels like a defeat and they've got to take that performance forward now that intensity that work rate that fight They've got to take it forward and they'll give themselves a chance.

1:50Well, they've tasted life outside the bottom three momentarily this evening, but they end the day back in it. No first win in the first home game in charge for Roberto de Zerbi, but a point on the board. Tottenham Hotspur 2, Brighton and Hove Albion 2. It will feel like a really difficult point to take for Tottenham Hotspur, who thought they had those three vital points right at the end, Brighton getting that equaliser. But do you have to take the positives here, Michael, in terms of performance, or is it just that simply points are what they need? Yeah, they have to take the positives. Of course, they will feel like this is a loss.

2:30You listen to Seben, you listen to Alan there. When you take the lead at home twice, even the position that Spurs are in, no wins in 14. I looked at this when they went 2-1 up with that fantastic goal from Xavi Simmonds. I thought this is a chance. This is a chance to really turn your fortunes round, climb out of that bottom three, go ahead of West Ham, put the pressure on them for Monday night. And then one mistake from Kevin Danzo. He switches off in the final moments of the game. You're a centre half, you clear your lines, you do everything to make sure we get over the line to win this football match.

2:59This will feel huge, huge two points dropped in my opinion. They conceded right at the end of the first half, Spurs. They conceded right at the end of the second half. where did it just not quite go? Is it just about seeing these games out and they're not doing that at the moment? Yeah, you know, I was a little bit concerned when they scored the second goal. It was a great second goal from Javi Simmonds but the celebrations that came out, I mean, I looked at doors and I said, 78 minutes, still a long way to go and you need concentration and when the referee put eight minutes up, I thought there's still a lot of football to be played there and you felt that Brighton were going to get another chance.

3:35It was how Tottenham were going to defend and unfortunately, as you said, End of first half, they give a goal away, end of second half. This has been their season. Just can't keep the ball out better than it. You saw the fight, you saw the belief from these Spurs players. That was evident as well at the full-time whistle because of how frustrated they were. A number of them fell to the floor in frustration. How much of an impact is this game going to have on them now? This is something that they will have to deal with. They've been in a situation, we've always talked about the mentality, the style of playing.

4:07We saw it today. I saw the hunger, the desire, the commitment, the pressing from those Spurs players. The man in the picture there deserving. Passionate on the touchline. The fans turned up with the flags. They got right behind this team and they will have something tonight. I saw something in that game tonight, Gald. They go to Wolves next week and they can stay in the Premier League. It's over to West Ham on Monday night. Nottingham Forest against Burnley tomorrow. They're in the driving seat. They have to take advantage of Spurs dropping two points tonight. But it's given them some belief. This is a starting block with five games to go.

4:37five cup finals we've talked about it for long enough they have to turn these draws into wins next week is a must I said today was plenty of positives disappointing end to the game for Spurs okay well it's far from over for Tottenham Hotspur but they would have really really appreciated three very vital points which would have taken them out of the relegation zone for now so that wraps up the early kickoffs on Saturday Spurs Brighton 2-2 of course Leeds with a very, very big win over Wolves. Earlier today as well, Brentford-Fullam was goalless, Bournemouth beating Newcastle. There are some very big games to come on Sunday as well.

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5:24Well, as you can see there, Tottenham Hotspur still stuck in the relegation zone, a point behind West Ham, two points behind Nottingham Forest. Both of those, though, still to play.

5:38As for Brighton then, they're in tonight. They're still on the hunt for European football. It's very close between those teams, isn't it? At the top of the table is also a Merseyside derby to come before the top two face off tomorrow on Super Sunday. So, it was a really important game. We kept talking about how big this was. You said it should have been a must win. How disappointing is it that they weren't able to do it today? It's a massive disappointment. not just because they didn't win a game and it's two points dropped, in my opinion, the way they played, plenty of positives, but the fact that they took the lead twice and then they gifted, in my opinion, Brighton the two goals so avoidable from Spurs' point of view.

6:16Take nothing away from Brighton always. You look at their strengths that they can gain, but from Spurs' point of view, devastated the way they concede the goals, which we're going to see where they could have been certainly avoided. We'll have a look at the goals in just a minute, but first of all, in terms of the players' mindset now, because they're going to look at this game and think this was a huge opportunity. They were leading 2-1 until the very, very end. What do they need to do now to keep that positive mindset going into those final games? I think if you look at the game overall, I've been to quite a few Spurs games this season.

6:49I've never left the stadium thinking, our Spurs have been unlucky today. I think every time I've watched them, they've been well beaten. Today, you'd leave the stadium thinking we're a bit unlucky. When are we going to get that little bit of a rubber agreement? I think if you're the players, you're going to take some positives about the way you play today, the way you went at them. Like you said, you took the lead twice and showed some good positive stuff. I mean, they gave a goal away at the end of the first half, which gave Brighton momentum. They came out in the second half and they had the momentum.

7:18And then all of a sudden Spurs snares it back, score a goal, and you think, right, we're on top again, started playing the ball around. I think the pivotal point was when Javi Simmons got cramped and they basically went down to 10 men. Well, you mentioned it there. Spurs went ahead twice in this game. Let's have a look at how they did it the first time in the first half, Pedro Porro, in a really good position. But Spurs, what do you like so much about this goal, Dawes? Well, I love the way they press. And Conor Gallagher, certainly his best game in a Spurs shirt for me. Dominic Zylanki is what you expect all the time when he plays.

7:52His work ethic is outstanding. Yes, they put them under pressure. They know how bright and play. And we've always talked about, can we get Xavi Simmonds in the team? and where is he going to pick up the ball? You see him just outside the box. He takes the ball back, but then what is his first thought? A play forward. Then when he puts it in that area, the bravery from Pedro Porro is outstanding. Verbruggen's coming, you think he's going to punch his head off. No, I'm going to be braver, I'm going to nick it and I'm going to put us 1-0 ahead. The ball, to think forward, everything positive, positive all around and what a start for Spurs to put your team 1-0 up and brilliant from Pedro Porro.

8:24That's your right back getting ahead, 1-0. For Spurs to take the lead as well in this first half because there were options, well, chances at both ends, really, weren't there, in terms of Brighton had a lot of the momentum, as did Spurs. But for Spurs to get that opening goal must have given them so much confidence. However, Brighton, as we said, came back right at the end of that first half. And you're right, they were really positive. And then, you know, Brighton, we saw this a couple of times, this ball going into the box. They get the clearance and then a mix-up between Gallagher and Mawani there.

8:54Ball goes out, they've got all their players back, but no one's closing the ball down. this goes into the far post and you just stand on the sidelines and clap that because that's an unbelievable finish you know the pace is on the ball and he just puts his foot on it side foots it into the top the roof of the net an absolutely fantastic finish the execution is outstanding unbelievable you won't see a better goal today in the Premier League I'm sure but you look from a Spurs perspective how avoidable is that two opportunities they had a chance to go and close the ball try and block that cross full backs Les you talked about when you're a coach what do you do get close, block the cross Spurs didn't do that It felt like the second half was pretty much exactly the same as the first half as well again, chances at both ends, both sides seeming to have a bit of momentum as well but it was Spurs who were able to take the lead in the second half Yeah it was and like I said I thought Brighton started the second half really well, made some changes this is great play from Bergviel plays it into Javi Simmonds and we were saying come on give us something, give us something he turns inside and he gives us something this is an absolutely fantastic finish but this is again Spurs pressing Bergviel presses, wins the ball back Brighton trying to play out from the back but this is all about Javi Simmons here and this is what we've been expecting from him all season, this is what we know he's capable of doing and like I said he scores the goal and then obviously the celebrations were a bit premature but it's an emotional game and you know they got caught up in the emotions and an absolutely fantastic finish and then you thought, come on, can Spurs just hold on?

10:28You wanted to see him in the starting lineup, Michael, Xavi Simmonds, and that's exactly what he brought, that creativity, he found those chances for Spurs today. Yeah, I've seen Spurs all season, I've always looked and it's been hard for him, came in for big money, £51 million and I think for a player of someone like his quality, he's got to be a player that is an arm round, he's a creator, that's what he does, he creates goals, he needs to get on the ball, it's not been easy for a team that's struggled, he's been in and out the team and you look today, he goes in the team. I thought he should have probably started more in a centre role, but just the way Roberto de Serbsi goes up with three out and out midfield, he's slotted in on the left-hand side, and I thought he was absolutely brilliant.

11:07One assist, one goal. You talk about the emotion. You could see what it means to him to only score his second Premier League goal, and we've probably been calling for it for a long time now. You mentioned, Les, it is an emotional game. It's an emotional game for the players. You can see that in the reaction here in these celebrations. But are they going to learn something from this now for the last remaining fixtures? I'm certainly hoping so. Yeah, of course, you know, you understand where you are. And like I said, if that was the 90th minute, I could understand it. Yeah. But it was like there was still a lot of football to be played.

11:4278th minute, I think he scored in and still a lot of football to play. So, yeah, the celebrations and reaction was like, you know, we've got to keep this tight. We've just got to make sure we don't give something away. but he's jumped in the crowd. Everyone gets involved. The sub's off the bench. Good job they didn't see me in the studio. We thought that was it. But no, we did feel that Brighton were going to get another chance in the game. Yeah, which is exactly what they did. You didn't want to see Michael's reaction when this Brighton equaliser went in. Jorginho Ruta getting there. But we said it the whole time.

12:14Brighton have looked dangerous. They have. And you know, the threat that they have. Mitoma came on and then had to go off. Minta down the left-hand side. And Danzo should just clear it. Loads of things. But he does well, Van Heek. He pickpockets him. And then what he can do, he picks Ruta out. Outstanding finish. But he's so avoidable. I look. Pedro Porra here. He's playing against his left winger, Minta. The ball went into him. Minta was there. And look at the distance where they go. Amlet, that's your right back. He has to stay goal side of your left winger. He has to. With 2-1 up in the final few minutes of a game at home to win the game.

12:49Where are you going? Forget the ball. He's a danger man. And this is what happens when it rolls forward. Pelinha then has to leave, isolate the midfield. So now we've lost the player in the middle of the park. Clear the ball, Danzo. No, he doesn't. Where would Pelinha be? He would be in this position as a holding midfielder. And that ball then is cleared out. So as much as Kevin Danzo should clear the ball, that from Pedro Porro, he can't then step out and not drop back. It's just numerous mistakes. Mindset, tiredness all kicks in. But that's the final little details to get over the line and win a football match.

13:25I said to Dawes, looking at your right back, you're in that position. You're the centre-half there. What are you saying to your right back? Because when I saw him going, I thought, where are you going? You've just got to stay. Just let him have the ball. Keep it goal side. Just keep goal side of him. And Dawes said, I'll be saying to him, get back in here. but he lets him off and him down the left-hand side, every single time he got it, put the ball in the box. He caused danger the whole game and I thought, just keep goal side of him. He didn't do it. It can be fine margin, can't it Les? You know the game can be split of a coin.

14:00It's so fine margin and you just unfortunately can get punished at this level and Brighton certainly possessed that in the final third. Ruter came on. I mean, I'm not taking anything away from Bayern because Van Hecht does well to pick him out. That's his centre-forward making the last-ditch tackle against Ruta. And it's a brilliant contact. Reverses it away from Kinski to bring it 2-2. Credit to Brighton. They kept fighting and believing they would get one more opportunity and they did that. You said fine margins there. So how do they turn that around? How do they make sure that they're going to see these games out now into those final ones?

14:33I mean, it's no coincidence that the biggest problem, you know, football's never changed. It's about you putting it in the opposition's goal and stopping it going in your goal. Spurs are down there with Wolves with the most goals conceded this season. And so that is a problem. So the manager will have to look at that and say, and like we said before, he hasn't got time for too many tactics. It's just about people doing their jobs in the right place. And they'll look at that and they'll definitely look at that and say, right, OK, Porro, what are you thinking? And so they just need to address that.

15:03And as I said, they just need to be a bit more solid at the back. Let's have a look at the bottom of the table, because currently that is where Spurs are. They're in that relegation zone. We know that West Ham and Forest are still to play, and that gap could be even further after, obviously, Forest and West Ham have got their game. So, in terms of you're looking at Nottingham Forest and West Ham, are they going to be thinking, this is a massive opportunity for us now, because Spurs have dropped points? Oh, definitely. They'll have been watching this game without a doubt. They're in the hotel, they're waiting for the games tomorrow and going, oh, Spurs now leapfrog us if we're West Ham.

15:38Nottingham Forest are getting, well, they would have gone above them as well on goal difference. So everything can change. Bang, that goal goes in. Now we've got an opportunity. Tomorrow, Nottingham Forest against Burnley at home. Brilliant on Thursday night in Europe. Premier League, now we have a chance to make that gap even bigger. And that is a problem. When it's out of your hands, it can be challenging. West Ham obviously got Palace on Monday night, so their fortunes change. and that's why it's getting even harder for Spurs. I said it was a must win. Tonight, next week, now is critical. Away at Wolves.

16:08It feels like obviously every game is going to be so important now for Spurs, isn't it? Depending on what happens around them. Say Forrest and West Ham do win their games then. How are Spurs going into these next couple of games? Because they have to fight now, don't they? They've got no choice. They've got no choice. We was looking at the table earlier on and Spurs would have jumped to 16th and then all of a sudden, West Ham and Forrest are thinking, we have to win. And that's a different kind of, they can be a bit more relaxed about tomorrow. Of course, they want to win, but they can be a bit more relaxed.

16:35When you see the team jump above you, all of a sudden it gives you a different feeling. Tonight they'll be thinking, they'll have a sigh of relief, thinking like, okay, we need to go and win tomorrow, but there's a little bit less pressure on it and then winning in a way they need to tomorrow. Yeah, okay. Well, we're going to take a very quick break now, but there's so much still to talk about after this game. It was a very eventful game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Roberto De Zerbi in his first home match in charge of Spurs. Couldn't get his first victory. No win now in 15 games for Spurs.

17:07All the reaction. And we'll hear from that manager, Roberto De Zerbe, after this.

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18:30This is the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Let's get more analysis of the game and return to the studio. Tottenham Hotspur still stuck in the relegation zone after a 2-2 draw with Brighton. They thought they'd taken three very valuable points had it not been for Jorginho Ruta in the 95th minute to break the Tottenham Hotspur hearts. You can see just how frustrating that was for the fans and for the players as well. and I'm sure also for Roberto De Zerbi, who we can hear from now. He's with David Craig. Roberto, a game very much of contrasting emotions. What are your feelings and emotions after that 90-plus minute?

19:14I'm sorry for the result, for the players, because they are suffering too much. And today, I think we deserve to win the game against one great Brighton. and a big congratulation for their style, their level of players and everything. But I think, especially in that moment of the game, we couldn't concede that goal of Jorginho Rutter. It will, I suppose, in some ways feel very disappointing, given you were twice in front. But looking at what has gone on before, Were there some positive signs today that you spoke of during the week in terms of effort, mentality, belief at times? I am positive but I am proud of my players because they played a fantastic game as a character, as a spirit.

20:13What I asked them to deserve to play in this stadium for this club. We have to be stronger than this result. We have to move on and prepare the next game in Wolverhampton and try to win the game. Because if you are stronger like today, I think we can compete again. We spoke and I talked before about you are very much head of a family here now. You are the father figure, the man that shoulders the responsibility. and I know what gets said in dressing rooms often can't be repeated to us, but you spoke for some time to your players in there. Can you share us a little insight of what you've said after that result?

20:59No, I say to be strong, to follow me again and again, because I want to help them. I want to... They can change the mentality, because the mentality in this moment of football is the most important part. Now it's too easy to think negative, but we have to be focused on this performance we did and to work and to find the condition to win a game. Because I am positive, not because I am coach of Tottenham, because I know my players, I know their qualities, I know my players like a people, a human value, and I believe in them. I know you've been to the stadium before, but it's the first time you've been here and you're the manager of this historic football club.

21:59Do you get a sense today of what it means to the people and the supporters and the people that work here for you to succeed in your quest to keep this club in the Premier League. I know you are the first time you come here in this stadium. You have been able to see the meaning of coming to this stadium for the people who work with you. In your research and conquering success. Listen, I know we are fighting to keep in Premier League very difficult moment, but anyway, we are lucky, everyone of us, to work in this club with these fans because it is incredible atmosphere today. You could think today we are fighting to qualify in Champions League and not to relegate.

22:59and I'm sorry for the fans. What I can say is until the end we go to fight every game and we go to give our best and if we are able to give our best I think it's not finished yet. Five games left, it certainly isn't finished. Did you see seeds today, signs of optimism for what you're trying to achieve? Today I watched signs, I watched I watched blood, I watched character, I watched qualities, I watched organisation with the ball, without the ball, I watched the qualities of my players, the right spirit, I watched everything we need to reach our target and to fight until the end of the season. One very final question.

23:56People talk about your reputation. We know you're a high quality coach on the training ground. What technically do you need to work on going into that next game that can get you that victory that you've said will change the season? You are a manager of this team, you observe the qualities of this team. What are the aspects of the technical point of view to work on the next game to be able to win? In Cedla? For sure we have to improve in a lot of things in football, if we are speaking about football. But it's not the crucial part. The crucial part is to keep this mentality. And for that I said to the player, now I told them to come Monday morning, Monday afternoon with the same behavior they showed today.

24:59Otherwise, I don't want to work with the sad people, with the negative people. They have to believe in myself because if I'm here, if I accept to come in Tottenham now, it's because I am positive to stay in the Premier League next season. 100%. Roberto I really appreciate your time thank you