Roberto de Zerbi says Tottenham Hotspur can win last five games in EPL survival battle
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto de Zerbi insists his side have the quality to win their last five EPL games, as they languish in 18th place after a 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on April 18.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur have not won an English Premier League game in 2026, but new manager Roberto de Zerbi saw enough in the gut-wrenching 2-2 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on April 18 to convince him they can still escape relegation.
It had looked as though a superb goal by Xavi Simons would give Spurs a first league win in 15 games and take them out of the bottom three, but they were left floored as the Seagulls’ Georginio Rutter equalised in the fifth minute of added time.
Tottenham are in 18th place with 31 points from 33 games. The spectre of a first relegation since 1977 hung over the glistening stadium as the fans drifted out and the reality is that they may need to win all of their remaining five games to avoid the drop.
“It’s not finished yet. It’s tough. We have another five games,” de Zerbi, the club’s third manager this season after the sacking of Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, told reporters.
“Now it is difficult to hear my words, but if you watch the players and analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row. Not to be arrogant because I am not arrogant... but we have the quality enough to fight and win games in a row.”
The Italian has said the biggest challenge in the time he has available is to create a positive mentality. Against Brighton, he said his players had shown “blood and character”.
“We have to improve a lot of things. The crucial part is to keep this mentality and I told the players to come on Monday afternoon with the same behaviour they showed today,” he added.
“I don’t want to work with sad people, with negative people. They have to believe in myself. If I am here, it’s because I am positive to stay in the Premier League next season.”
Tottenham were boosted by the return of midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, while playmaker James Maddison was on the bench for the first time this season after an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Their next match is away at bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on April 25. After that, Spurs have matches to come against Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton.
The squad are packed with quality but despite de Zerbi’s positive words, their chances of survival look increasingly bleak.
But Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, who is chasing a European spot next season, certainly feels the London side have the quality to survive.
“They have unbelievable players in their squad,” he said. “They have in their front-line players who can make a difference with one action and that’s what they showed today.
“Therefore, I think they have enough quality in their squad to make it happen.” REUTERS, AFP
