{"id":7517,"date":"2026-05-12T08:56:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T08:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=7517"},"modified":"2026-05-12T08:56:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T08:56:50","slug":"roberto-de-zerbis-managerial-mind-games-spurs-boss-tells-leeds-to-play-just-as-well-against-west-ham-on-crucial-final-day-in-relegation-scrap-after-missing-chance-to-go-four-clear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=7517","title":{"rendered":"Roberto De Zerbi’s managerial mind games: Spurs boss tells Leeds to play just as well against West Ham on crucial final day in relegation scrap after missing chance to go four clear"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By MATT BARLOW, FOOTBALL WRITER <\/p>\n

Published:<\/span>

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Roberto De Zerbi fears the relegation fight is going down to the wire on the final day of the season after Tottenham missed their chance to pull clear of West Ham.<\/p>\n

Spurs took the lead but could only draw against Leeds and are two points clear of the drop zone with two to play in the Premier League season.<\/p>\n

West Ham are next up, on Sunday at Newcastle. Spurs play two days later at Chelsea, a fixture delayed by the FA Cup final.<\/p>\n

On the final day, West Ham are at home against Leeds and Spurs at home against Everton.<\/p>\n

‘It will be tough until the last minute against Everton for sure,’ warned De Zerbi. ‘But we can’t forget what was the situation 15 days ago.<\/p>\n

‘We can’t forget we made eight points from the last four games. Or that the last defeat for Leeds was March 3. Or that West Ham they have to play Leeds at home and I think Leeds will play like today with the same spirit and same qualities because they are doing a great season.\u00a0We hope they play like this against West Ham because it is right like this.’<\/p>\n

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\"Roberto <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Roberto De Zerbi fears that the Premier League relegation battle will go right down to the wire<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Spurs <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Spurs are two points clear of West Ham in 18th after drawing 1-1 against Leeds on Monday<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Mathys Tel fired Spurs ahead five minutes into the second half but then conceded a penalty when he kicked Ethan Ampadu in the head while attempting an overhead clearance.<\/p>\n

Dominic Calvert-Lewin levelled from the spot but De Zerbi refused to blame Tel.<\/p>\n

‘I will give him a big hug and a big kiss, nothing more,’ said the Spurs boss. ‘He is a young player and a big talent. He scored a great goal and made a mistake because he has not the right experience, and has not played too many games and we have to accept it.<\/p>\n

‘I am happy, and proud. We played a good game, not a great game. There was big pressure and we didn’t play calm. We wanted to win immediately. And we could lose at the end.’<\/p>\n

The closing stages were frantic with chances at both ends but the best of them fell to Leeds substitute Sean Longstaff when he burst clear in the eighth minute of stoppage time.<\/p>\n

Longstaff was denied by a fabulous save by Kinsky who pushed his shot against the bar. ‘He has great personality, tough character,’ said De Zerbi.<\/p>\n

Leeds boss Daniel Farke said: ‘Nothing will take away that we have played an amazing season and this is a great achievement for the club, to break the curse of the promoted sides with Sunderland, with three games to go, it’s massive.<\/p>\n

‘Maybe we could be on more points. I couldn’t be prouder of my players. Also want to spoil our supporters in the final home game and extend our unbeaten run on the final day.’<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\n Roberto De Zerbi’s managerial mind games: Spurs boss tells Leeds to play just as well against West Ham on crucial final day in relegation scrap after missing chance to go four clear<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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