Tottenham conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 2-2 with Brighton and Hove Albion at home.
Roberto De Zerbi’s wait for a first victory as Tottenham Hotspur head coach goes on after a frustrating 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion at home on Saturday evening.
This was a result that felt more like a defeat than a point gained, given the manner in which Spurs conceded the equaliser in stoppage time. They looked on course for their first Premier League win of 2026 before Georginio Rutter’s 95th-minute equaliser earned Brighton a crucial draw. Kevin Danso dropped to the turf after his failure to clear the ball enabled Jan Paul van Hecke to steal in and set up Rutter, who smashed the ball with his left foot past a hapless Antonin Kinsky.
Earlier, Pedro Porro had put Spurs in front before substitute Kaoru Mitoma made the scores 1-1 in first-half stoppage time. Xavi Simons restored the home side’s advantage with 13 minutes left, courtesy of a stunning curling effort which cannoned in off the post. However, Tottenham were denied a late first league win in 111 days and robbed De Zerbi of an ideal afternoon in his first home game. The result also kept De Zerbi and Co. in the relegation zone.
De Zerbi buoyant Tottenham can win the last five games and stay in the top flight
Despite the heartbreak in the 95th minute, a buoyant De Zerbi insisted an improved display has convinced him Tottenham can beat the drop. The 46-year-old even went as far as suggesting his team could beat Wolves, Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton in their remaining fixtures.
“I always believe in the qualities of the players. They play a good game, I think they can play better than today with more quality and more calm,” De Zerbi said in his post-match press conference (h/t Football London).
“Especially when we are in possession. In this moment, we need this attitude.
“It’s not finished yet, it’s tough, we have another five games. Everyone knows it’s a tough moment, a difficult situation. This team is able to win five games in a row.”
Tottenham players have to believe in themselves
It was undoubtedly a positive performance from Tottenham. Playing against an in-form Brighton was always going to be difficult, but credit to our boys for putting up a fight and almost snatching a victory via Simons’ wonder strike.
The Lilywhites were literally a few minutes away from all three points this evening. Danso made a terrible mistake by dilly-dallying with the ball, and moments later, Spurs got punished. A win would have taken De Zerbi’s side up into 16th and could have sparked a revival. As things stand, there is still a chance for Tottenham to pull off a great escape, but they have to pick themselves up and go again next weekend at freshly relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers.
As far as De Zerbi’s statement goes, he has total belief in his boys to win the last five games to give themselves a chance of staying in the Premier League.