tottenham’s premier league Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Sunderland left the London club in the relegation zone, and their relegation bid suffered a further blow.
In Roberto De Zerbi’s first game as manager, Spurs suffered their 16th league loss of the season. The team’s winless record of 14 league games dates back to January 1st.
Nordi Mukiele’s deflected shot sealed the match at the Stadium of Light, further plunging Tottenham’s campaign into jeopardy.
Tottenham are two points clear of safety with six games remaining. Nottingham Forest’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, who are fighting for relegation, did not help their predicament.
Crystal Palace came back from 1-0 down to beat Newcastle 2-1 at Selhurst Park.
Second-placed Manchester City faced Chelsea later on Sunday.
Spurs’ crisis deepens
The numbers keep getting worse for Tottenham.
This is his third time as manager this season, but more than three months have passed since their last league victory, and they are just one point away from 24 points. This was their seventh loss out of eight games.
De Zerbi, replacing Igor Tudor, was expected to hit the ground running right away, but it wasn’t a typical lackluster performance at Sunderland.
Even during the final 11 minutes of stoppage time, there was little sign that his team would find a way back into the game, although the new manager could point to bad luck given Mukiele’s 61st-minute winner was a spectacular deflection from Micky van de Ven.
Spurs’ next match will be at De Zerbi’s former club Brighton.
Forest are now three points behind Spurs after the draw at the City Ground. Murillo’s own goal put Villa ahead, before Neco Williams’ long-range shot equalized.
Palace Mateta Double
Manager Jean-Philippe Mateta saw his move to AC Milan fall through on deadline day in January and has a big say in Palace’s aim to end the season on a positive note.
The French forward scored in Thursday’s Europa Conference League win against Fiorentina and hit a double in Palace’s return against Newcastle.
Two late goals at Selhurst Park turned the game on its head after William Osla gave Newcastle the lead at half-time.
Mateta equalized in the 80th minute and fired the winning shot from the penalty spot in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Palace have overtaken Newcastle on goal difference, moving into 13th place.
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James Robson is https://x.com/James Saran Robson
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