Spurs held by Leeds as relegation fight takes another dramatic twist

0:06This is the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Thanks for joining us. Monday night football came from Tottenham this week as Spurs took on Leeds. Here's how things sounded when the full-time whistle blew.

0:24It's a point apiece It's an opportunity missed by Roberto de Zerbi and Spurs Who took the lead here in sensational style through Mati's tail But then after Tel gave away a penalty kick And Leeds converted it And he saw that four point gap go back to just two by the time they next take to the field at Stamford Bridge in eight days time they could have been leapfrogged by West Ham but when Matty's tail blasted in they were almost away from them with that four point gap it was a game that ebbed and flowed there were plenty of nerves in the air but in the end Spurs Allen have to settle for a point they did and of course they'll be gutted about that having got a goal ahead but at the end of the day they've gained a point on West Ham when the Hammers lost to Arsenal.

1:17So they've got to look at it in that frame. They've got to look at it in a positive way. Still all to play for, but Spurs in the box seat. James Madison still protesting that that late penalty shout went against him. One of many things for Dave and Jamie and Jermaine to discuss. But it's finished here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs 1, Leeds 1. Bill, thank you. It is a season that keeps on giving, isn't it, in terms of these talking points. And that point moves them two points clear of West Ham United. Their goal difference superior by 11. Spurs now head to Chelsea in eight days' time.

1:57West Ham go to Newcastle on Sunday. So do you see that, Jermaine, as a good point for Spurs in the circumstances? I think they'd be disappointed they didn't get all three. Saying that, you know, if you can't win, make sure you don't lose. but yeah I think second half Leeds look good but I think they'll look at it I think they'll be disappointed for sure massive game but saying that's still in control now it's two points Do you agree Jamie? Will it feel like in the cold light of day two points have slipped with their fingers? Yes because it was a real opportunity with what happened with West Ham to almost put this whole season to bed if they had three points tonight but I felt it would be a tough game Leeds are playing really well at their own Tottenham struggle at home and I think that point will feel a lot better in the morning when they reflect on the game.

2:44You think of that save from the Tottenham goalkeeper from Longstaff onto the bar. I mean, that is one of the saves of the season. So it could have been a lot worse. Unbelievable from Kinski. The two saves that lad made, one in the first half, one in the second half, has made sure his team have got who knows what could be a vital point. Jermaine, when this ball leaves Sean Longstaff's left boot, everybody is thinking goal. I closed my eyes. To have that sort of reflexes so close, I mean that's world class that. That's unbelievable. So when you first saw it, you didn't think that was any touch but then when you see it from that angle to have those sort of reflexes and react that quick.

3:24The reaction time is just extraordinary isn't it? Unbelievable. I mean Sean Longstaff can't believe that he's actually kept it out. You can sort of see him saying how did that not go in? Yeah, that's one of the best saves I've seen all season for sure The only save I can remember that sort of just felt wow was Pickford, Jordan Pickford at Newcastle and you think wow that's going to be save of the season that is certainly up there right on it And you think Jamie where he came from in Madrid that game And you know what probably people who listen to me on this show I'm not the biggest fan of Vacario as a goalkeeper that lad, the saves he's made he's got a presence about him that is, for me, is better and looks more confident than Vicario.

4:08Jermaine, how will James Madison be feeling right now? A year and 10 days, and he's back on the pitch. And almost a big moment. He thought he won a penalty. Yeah, he looks emotional there, to be honest. I think when you've had that long period out as a footballer, to get back on the pitch, you know, you can't replicate the game. You can do as much training as you want. But to be back out there and try and help your team win, he'll be delighted to be back. He does look emotional, as you say, and he could still have an impact on this fight for survival, James Madison with these two games to go he's got probably a few more minutes than he expected to tonight he came on with 10 left and then was the 13 of stoppage time as well so this is how it stands Spurs up to 38 points that would have seen you safe in the last 15 years there's still a big question over this season because West Ham can still get to 42 with the two games they've got left and again that goal difference could be really significant 11 the difference in Spurs favour but West Ham United in action next at Newcastle on Sunday 5.30 kickoff Jermaine do you think they can get something there I think they can I think Newcastle not the team that we that they normally are at home that we've seen in previous seasons um it's been up and down I think it's it's not even about um performances now is it just win you just got to win um I think they could get something there well then the question Jamie is is can Spurs get something at Chelsea?

5:28I said before the game, listen, that's a tough game, but it's easier than that. Now, who knows how the cup final goes for Chelsea, if that could have an impact as well, but I could just imagine the atmosphere in that stadium, those Chelsea supporters. It's a rivalry, it's football. They'll be desperate to send Tottenham down, or certainly put them in a really difficult position going into that last game. And it's just, listen, whether that helps them or not, we only know on the back of the Newcastle game for West Ham, where they're playing a couple of days earlier. If they lose that game, it's just pure, they can relax Tottenham.

6:01But imagine West Ham winning that one. And then going there to one of your biggest rivals. They have a chance to make themselves safe at Stamford Bridge and they will have nothing more than that. All those games and every single remaining Premier League game is live on Sky Sports. We're going to bring you every dramatic twist and turn before this season is out.

6:31The last by Beal, Tell! Tell lights the touch paper, Tottenham strike first and what a mighty blow that is at the bottom of the Premier League table

6:50and Padua came on to it, he was caught there, Jared Gillett had a good look at it penalty kick awarded it. This tale takes another twist.

7:02Calver-Lewin gave that everything. Another mighty swing in the relegation picture.

7:12Spurs have to settle for a point. Maybe they're actually glad to get a point in the end, but it was very much a tell of two halves. The good in the first and the bad in the second, conceding the penalty which brought Leeds back into the game. 16 shots from Spurs, 10 of those in the first half, to Leeds United's 11, who certainly played their part in this contest. 14 corners from Spurs on the night, including the one which led to Tell's opening goal. That's more than they've had in any game for the last three years.

7:48so they are left to reflect on the fact that well two points dropped or a point gained the big save of course which at least gave them a point and it keeps them two points clear of West Ham United with that superior goal difference which will be effectively an extra point but would you believe that is the first time this season that they've gone unbeaten in consecutive home games which tells a story of its own, doesn't it, Jermaine? Yeah, we spoke before about the manager coming in, making an impact, making the team harder to play against. Obviously, they're always going to have long periods with the ball because obviously the manager wants to dominate possession.

8:25That's what you do about the ball as well. The other side of it is so important. We've spoken before about individual moments. Who's going to come up with that special X factor for Spurs when they really needed it tonight? They got it from Matisse Tell. He was very much the man of the moment this evening. Yeah, we said it in the first half. He looked like the bright spark in the game. And the first touch is sort of underneath his feet. So would you say it's a good touch? Well, it's an unbelievable finish. But to do that and generate that sort of power with not much back lift. Because if he touches it further, does he not get challenged?

8:55I think you'd rather want to get the first touch right, yeah. Because obviously he was getting pressed on that. But to get your shot off that quick, obviously there's bodies in the way. But to get that dip, it's an unbelievable finish. But he looks sharp all game. he did and full of confidence and that's his first goal from outside the area he tried one of two things he tried a an interesting cross in front of his own box in the first half and then this is perhaps a player who's feeling full of confidence Jamie yeah listen that's just a crazy decision now what you think sometimes is okay we've been there as players where you don't see the opposition player coming in but we've got an angle now where he's about to make his decision and he sees him.

9:40So just keep an eye on his right side. He looks now. So, OK, he's made his decision going to overhead kick it. As soon as he knows there's somebody on his right side, that decision had to change. Now, he still has time. He looks. He's still moving his feet to get into a position to overhead kick it away. He's got to change his decision. I was given not so much the benefit of the doubt initially, but I thought, OK, he hasn't seen him. He has seen him. He knows he's coming. And he still sticks with the overhead kick. a really really poor decision for Jared Gillette was whether there had been contact and I think that's all the evidence that you need he's got stud marks across his face hasn't he clearly was contact try and give us the striker's perspective the attacker's perspective of defending like that in your own box you just can't do it that's when you need calm head but the fact that he has a lot there and he sees sees him and to still do it I think you've just got to head that away you know you've just got to clear your lines because once you do over Heckel you're out of control.

10:38Even when you're in opposition's box and you do it, you never know where the ball's going to go. You try and make contact with that, but you're out of control. You just can't do that. We're talking about a young attacking player who has made two ridiculous decisions in this game. You mentioned him on the first half where he crosses his own box and he does that. And De Zerbe 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. He got the corner, got the winning goal. He set up a goal at Aston Villa, the second goal.

11:15He scored a goal tonight and that's the conundrum managers have. You know someone's going to... He needs him. He needs him. He can't lose him. He needs him because they haven't got players with the injuries. But there's no doubt there's a player there. There is something there and he's seen it in the last couple of games. And this isn't tonight. Listen, he won't forget tonight. But this is the one across his own box. And you can imagine Dezebi and the coaching staff. I'm trying to imagine you in that situation. But even the supporters. You would have said to him if he was a teammate, he would have gone mad.

11:43You'd be going nuts. But then the good at the other end, certainly since he's come back into the team, since he came on at Wolves, and even at half-time, everything we showed that was good from Spurs was from him. And then in the second half, he goes and gets that goal. So that's the art of probably management, and Dezebi knows it a lot better than me, obviously. But he's probably got to still treat him with clubs in a certain setting and say he's given us so much going wrong we might have to put up with these little bits of buzz but that and overhead kicking your own box like that when you know the player is there that's something you can't accept Talk me through the penalty Jermaine because I can't remember seeing someone look so confident as Dominic Calvert-Lewin did here Yeah I mean again you know he's had a season where you know he's not had many injuries so he's been able to get rhythm Isn't Harry Kane like?

12:33Yeah The technique here. Yeah, no one, you're not saving that. If you can hit anything high in the side netting, it's a great penalty. And he looked as a threat tonight. You know, he was strong and he made it difficult for the Spurs defenders. And yeah, it was a really good penalty. 13 minutes of added time, of course, and we didn't know which way the game could then go. Could Leeds go and steal a winner to further delight West Ham fans? Or could there be a goal at the other end? Well, actually, it was Leeds. and as Jermaine said before, just an unbelievable reaction time, Jamie. Listen, I mean, that is...

13:09It must be the greatest save he's probably made in his career. I keep going back to maybe the Pickford one at Newcastle. It's the only save I can remember. Maybe there's a couple from Raya this season. He's been outstanding. But to get your arm off that quick. I mean, Longstaff couldn't believe it. Wow. It's the redemption story, isn't it, Jermaine? From where he was before. that humiliation in Madrid everyone questioning him for his what was it 14 minutes yeah it was a hard watch it was hard to see it you know you don't wish that on any young player but to show that sort of resilience and like thick skin to come back and you know for a moment like this like a big moment in a game of this magnitude to pull off a save like that it's probably you can't teach that but it makes us saving the first half look like a walk in the park you know it's saving the first half without standards but doesn't that tell you what football is.

13:59We know we've experienced it. It's an absolute rollercoaster and it'll never change. There's ups and downs in a career. I knew they'd have ever thought that he would probably ever play for Tottenham again on the back of what happened at Atletico Madrid. You said, Jamie, always claws it back from behind him. Unbelievable save. This is a great angle, this. It's almost behind him and he gets down. Brilliant. And I think you'd have to be, have a heart of stone if you didn't feel sort of delighted for this young lad after what he went through. are we looking at the next Spurs number one? oh yeah for sure for sure I think and like I said for a young player to go through what he's gone through and to come back on the other side and two massive saves like that in such a big game the signs are there I can imagine he's a good trainer a good professional but delighted for him everybody thought his Spurs career was over a couple of months over that save from Longstaff at the end of the season we'll know but that could be the save that keeps them in the Premier League Yeah, huge moment in his career and maybe Spurs season as well.

15:00There was still time for another twist late on because James Madison comes on the pitch. First action for over a year. Maiti, you've got a penalty here, Jermaine. What did you think when you saw this? Well, Kaira started screaming and then this.

15:14Yeah, when I first saw it, I thought it was a penalty. But yeah, I think he obviously gets a little touch. The defenders, I spoke to Kaira before about, you've got to be so careful when you're lunging. Your footwork's got to be a lot better. Because when you're lunging, again, you're out of control. And there's a risk, obviously, giving away a penalty in that. But, yeah. For me, I just thought, I mean, the reason I screamed was because every time Madison got on the ball, I just felt it was sort of, it was going to be one of those moments where he decided the game. And I can imagine him getting the penalty.

15:41He's going to take it, isn't he? You know what Madison's like? And it's just a slight touch on the ball. They get to the right decision. So he came on in the 85th minute. He had 22 touches in the game. I mean, he probably didn't expect, as I said before, an extra 13 added minutes. But does that tell you a story in itself that Spurs, his teammates know when he's on the pitch, you have to get the ball to him? But that's the great thing about Madison. No matter what's going on in his career, he's just come back for his first appearance with a horrific injury. He'll always want the ball. Every time you see, listen, we've done a piece on Oregard tonight, brilliant in terms of showing leadership, always wanting the ball.

16:16That would be Madison. No matter what the situation, if this goes to the last game of the season against Everton, understandably so. there'll be real nerves in that stadium from players will he want to receive the ball? That would not be the case with him. Mariton will always want to receive the ball. I just had visions of him doing something coming in here and giving him Charlie Big potatoes. You know, I've kept topping him up. You can imagine it because he's that type of character. Friend of the show, friend of the show.

16:49It's time for the EFL playoffs where one moment can change an entire season. Join me, Simeon Golem, on the Essential EFL podcast for all the stories and the drama across the Championship League One and League Two. I'll be joined by Sky Sports' top EFL pundits to analyse all of the games and bring you immediate reaction to the Wembley Finals. That's the Essential EFL podcast from Sky Sports. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

17:19This is the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Let's get more analysis of the game and return to the student. Just a point for Spurs tonight. That's ten home games without a win for only the second time in their history. And it might well have been worse. They might have been empty-handed if it wasn't for that amazing Kinski save later on.

17:44That empty stare tells its own story, doesn't it? Spurs are right in there, still fighting, and they're two points clear of West Ham United in the bottom three. That point for Leeds moves them up to 14th place. They were concerned safe before tonight. They can look forward to another season in the Premier League. And, well, they might celebrate in front of their noisy travelling fans who made the trip to London tonight. Let's hear from Daniel Farker now with Nathalie Gedra. Daniel, a point in the end. How proud are you of the fight the team showed tonight? Yes, very proud because sometimes during a long season there's also a game that you don't just win with your football quality and dominating each of your moments.

18:26Sometimes you have to show steel, especially in a difficult away game. Tottenham back-to-back wins here, important home game for them. With a difficult week, important players are out and had to play also today some players out of position. Then once you go one nil down after this first half and then early in the second half can be very difficult and sometimes you can crumble. Not us. We showed again that we didn't want to lose this game. We stepped up. I think fully deserved also to equalize and we're pretty, pretty close also to turn the game complete to win it. And yeah, this says a lot about the mentality, about the character of my team, although really many important players were missing today and also during the game.

19:03Pascal Stoic then additionally also out. And yeah, so we showed great resilience against all the adversity and I think we were a bit unlucky not to win it in the end. Yes, but the point is also important for us in the table, also in comparison to Tottenham. And yeah, for that, yeah, it was definitely a good night for us. Yeah, as you mentioned, you had problems with your starting XI with injured players. That first half, those final 20 minutes in the first half where they managed to speed up the game. How difficult, how challenging was it to deal with that? Because they had a few opportunities.

19:37Yes, I think I could have been a bit braver in the first half. So the 50-50 duels were not falling to us anyhow. And we were one or two times pressed in the build-up. And this has impressed us. So we would have preferred to be a bit colder and say, OK, it happens, but we play further on. So we played a bit too many long balls in the first half, but also reminded them during the halftime to be a bit more braver and stick to all principles and how we want to build up. And I think second half was way better in many aspects. But sometimes you also have a difficult game on the road, a few changes needed, you need a bit of time to come into it.

20:18It's also a sign of quality if you then can step up with your performance during the game. And for that, I just have compliments from our players today. How pleased were you with the way you were able to capitalize on the momentum after you scored the penalty? Yes, of course, a draw is a better result for us in comparison to Tottenham. But I like that we just didn't want to sit back. It's more like we pressed some high, wanted to create further chances. And my players were greedy also to score and to win this game. Of course, we always play to win wherever we go. And OK, if it's not possible, then we want to make sure that we don't lose it.

20:52But in our DNA will always be that we want to win football games. And this is also what we've shown in this period of the game. How nerve-wracking was it to have 13 minutes of at a time? Yes, it feels when we are chasing the game, maximum is given as always four or five minutes. But once we are in lead, then we have record added injured time. Surprised with the 13 minutes? It's not my topic to judge it. I was quite happy because I know we have a top fitness level and I also want to chase this game. Of course, a draw is a good result for us. But in the end, it felt also like, no, no, we can win it.

21:27And Sean Longs have had two great chances, one unbelievable save of the goalkeeper. and for that I was not too annoyed, if I'm honest. And before the game we were talking about keeping focus because the main goal was achieved, you guys are safe but tonight was it a big show of the character this team built throughout the season and the ambitions you may have for the future as well? Yes, if someone is not highly motivated once you represent this amazing club and you put a shirt on there's no doubt, of course we don't need the points in terms of survival anymore but how can you not be motivated and I don't need players that I need to motivate it's more like then you're not a player for Leeds United so if you put the shirt on and represent this club then you have to be at your very best and we also want to finish as high as possible and if you have a Premier League game then you have to be there with your best possible shape and with your best possible performance and this is what we're all about what the dressing room is all about what my players are about and we have created this culture and we'll never stop so I was not 1 % concerned before the game.

22:31And finally, did you have a chance to watch back the challenge on Madison? What's your view of that, of the penalty appeal in the end? No, I didn't have the chance to watch a scene back. James was my player when he was pretty young. At Norwich, I know how smart he is and that he can then also influence a game and he won very smart a few free kicks. He's also like he's unbelievably smart in the box and Ken knows also what he has to do in order to win something for his team. Normally as smart and experienced as he meanwhile is, I would suggest perhaps it was a bit light that he went down, but I haven't seen the game, the scene back anyhow.

23:13And I think it was also reviewed anyhow, so probably it was not a penalty. Thank you, Daniel. Thank you very much. I think you know you've been hugged when you've had a Daniel Farker hug. That was a lot of love. A lot of love, wasn't it, that hug? It's a lot of love in that. We questioned before the game what intensity Leeds would bring, given they were already safe. Did we get our answer? Yeah, I said it. I spoke about standards and the manager mentioned culture at a football club. Everyone's sort of like pulling in the right direction. Second half, they're really good. Good football team, you know.

23:49I don't think they get enough credit. You speak about Leeds and what they do without the ball and out of possession. but I think when they get the ball back because at some stage you have to have a spell and show your quality and I think they did that tonight and I think they've done that throughout the season. Are you quite looking forward to seeing what they do next season Jamie? Yeah, a lot was made of what they did in the summer. They recruited a lot of big lads shall we say I thought it was really clever understandable get themselves equipped physically for the Premier League and maybe I had an idea about how Leeds would play but I think Leeds were the first Monday Night Football weren't they against Everton?

24:21I think the first show we did this season and some of the football, they play is fantastic. I love them. I love watching them play. I think they're a really good team. I've almost got to try and forget out of my mind that they're a promoted team because you'd always have this sort of thing and you had that, will they be able to compete in the Premier League and to step up for a lot of the players? And I know they bought some players but I feel like I'm watching an established Premier League team. And how smart was it to stick with the manager when his future was being questioned? Well, listen, it's easy for us to say now but there was always a lot made that he was a championship manager who couldn't cut it in the Premier League but I think he's proven a lot of doubters wrong he's had a real influence on the team in terms of changing the system but the football he played they haven't just come in and sort of whacked it long relied on set pieces they play really good football and in Ethan and Perdue every time I watch him play I'm impressed by that he's been one of my favourite players certainly midfield players I've watched in the Premier League this season every time I watch him doesn't have a bad game fantastic