They were so, so, agonisingly, close. Tottenham Hotspur could not see themselves over the line though, having to settle for a point in the Premier League after Brighton & Hove Albion's late equaliser.
Georginio Rutter broke hearts across north London, with the dropped points meaning that Spurs remain beneath the dotted line and without a league win in 2026, across 15 matches all told.
We really are approaching kitchen sink time, and while the players have embraced Roberto De Zerbi's tactics and vision, they need to return to winning ways sharpish.
roberto-de-zerbi-tottenham
Next up, doomed Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. It's a must win, and De Zerbi needs his team to give 110%. Therefore, Randal Kolo Muani cannot start.
Why Kolo Muani is finished at Spurs
Let's put it plainly: Tottenham are in a relegation dogfight. In regard to probabilities, they are among the favourites to go down.
To combat this bleak and incredible situation, they need fighters. De Zerbi needs his players to match his intensity and his fire. Xavi Simons showed this against Brighton, to be sure, but the likes of Kolo Muani did not.
Spurs signed Kolo Muani on loan from Paris Saint-Germain last summer. He arrived with a weight of expectation, but the France international has failed to inspire confidence throughout the term.
De Zerbi started him on Saturday and last week for the 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, but he's surely got to return to the bench next time out, even with the club shorn of offensive depth.
Randal Kolo Muani vs Brighton
Stats
Minutes played
Touches
Shots (on target)
Accurate passes
Chances created
Crosses
Dribbles
Recoveries
Tackles won
Duels won
Fouls
It's safe to assume that the Lilywhites will not be requesting conditions for a permanent transfer this summer. In fact, Kolo Muani isn't the only one whose Tottenham career looks to be over after the latest setback.
The Spurs talent whose N17 career is now finished
Destiny Udogie has had a tough time over the past couple of years, injured regularly since the first season of the two-term Ange Postecoglou era.
Against Brighton, it showed, and as he exited the field with an injury scare, it's beginning to look like the 23-year-old's days at the club are numbered.
Tottenham's Destiny Udogie
Udogie struggled against the south coast side, unable to complete either of his two crosses and failing to create a single chance or even attempt a dribble.
He did win five of his seven ground battles, in fairness, but missed all four of his headed challenges. Moreover, he was culpable for a few mistakes that thankfully did not result in something damaging for the home side.
The harsh truth is that Udogie's repeated setbacks have prevented him from becoming the player he was touted to be when he first arrived in the Premier League. Such expectation, and understandably so, he was a powerful, rip-roaring talent after arriving from Udinese in a £15m deal.
Now, Udogie is struggling, and with Souza signed in January and ENIC Group looking to sign Andy Robertson on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season, it looks like he may be among the offloaded come summer.
Destiny Udogie's Minutes in the Premier League
Season
25/26
24/25
23/24
The Italy international was withdrawn, limping, after 76 minutes. Post-match murmurings have allayed fears of a lengthy blow, but fans have seen their fears heightened regarding his fitness levels once again.
In truth, it might not matter. If Udogie is fit for the final stretch, he will play, but like Kolo Muani, he has no future in north London beyond the summer transfer window.
Adebayor-Spurs-Premier-League Related
De Zerbi must upgrade on Spurs' new Emmanuel Adebayor
Regardless of whether Spurs beat the drop or not, this has to be a seismic summer for Roberto De Zerbi.