Sunderland 1 Spurs 0
De Zerbi’s first game in charge of Spurs ends in defeat. Going away to the Stadium of Light was always going to be a difficult opening match for De Zerbi in his match in charge of Spurs and Spurs were simply not good enough against a well-organised Sunderland side. Spurs probably started off as the better team in the opening stages of the game and were awarded a penalty in the 21st minute for a challenge on Kolo-Muani in the box which was then overturned upon review by the VAR, from there Sunderland grew into the game and should have scored in the first half with the chances they created. Sunderland continued to look the better side in the second half and eventually took the lead after a great run by Nordi Mukiele culminated in his shot from just outside the box taking a huge deflection off Micky Van de Ven which wrongfooted Kinsky and put Sunderland 1-0 up in the 61st minute. From there Sunderland continued to look the better side as Spurs struggled to create clear-cut chances with Brian Brobbey giving the Spurs defenders headaches all game which eventually ended on a sour note as Brobbey pushed Romero into Kinsky which gave both Spurs players quite nasty injuries with the Argentinian having to come off in tears which could indicate he could be out for a long time, Spurs pushed for the equaliser but just didn’t have that quality which now keeps them in 18th place with six matches left to play.
Sunderland continue to defy expectations back in the Premier League. Sunderland are in the same position as 5 or 6 other teams where if they can put together a run of wins in the league from no until the end of the season they will be playing in Europe next year which is crazy to think about in their first season back in the top flight. They weren’t brilliant today but they didn’t have to be against such a poor Spurs side, defensively they were superb for the whole game limiting Spurs to very few chances throughout the 90 minutes whilst continuing to create chances up the other end which they didn’t take. A few months ago I said that Granit Xhaka was the signing of the season and him and Sadiki along with Diarra won every duel in that midfield which allowed Sunderland to maintain pressure on the Spurs goal, Brobbey was brilliant as a target-man up front but that push on Romero was nasty into the goalkeeper and should have resulted in a second yellow card in my opinion as the Dutchman knew exactly what he was doing. Sunderland just looked the better team and came away with a deserved win on the day at home.
Any positive signs for De Zerbi in his first game? I thought the team selection was spot on from De Zerbi apart from starting Conor Gallagher who might just go down as the worst signing in Spurs history considering the situation they find themselves in currently, the lack of wingers in the Spurs squad at the minute is letting the team down massively as both Kolo-Muani and Richarlison were asked to keep the width with neither of them being able to play in that position. What really would have annoyed De Zerbi today was the delivery from the wide areas, especially from Udogie and Porro who’s crossing today was absolutely miles off it hitting out of play on numerous occasions when Spurs had players in the box. The midfield couldn’t really cope with Sunderland’s physicality as Bergvaal and Gray struggled to get into the game along with Gallagher, defensively they still looked shaky with Porro, Romero and Van de Ven all going into the book in the first half, De Zerbi is going to need a reaction quickly with Spurs in 18th and now two points off West Ham with six matches left to play, it doesn’t get any easier next week with Brighton coming to the Tottenham Hotspur Arena.
What’s the solution for Spurs over the next few matches. So with Brighton next week De Zerbi has to find a way to get some creativity back into this Spurs side, the Kudus injury news during the week was another huge blow as he brings something that no one else in this Spurs team has which is quality from out wide, with Odobert and Kulusevski missing long-term along with Maddison the creative players at De Zerbi’s disposal are limited which is why in my opinion Xavi Simons has to play next week against Brighton. I know he’s not lit up the Premier League in any way whatsoever but he’s the only creative player Spurs have who can at least try and create something for the attack which was lacking so much today, I would take Gallagher out for Simons next week against Brighton along with bringing in Pape Mate Sarr for Archie Gray just for the legs against that Brighton midfield, I wonder what De Zerbi will come up with against his former side in yet another must-win game for Spurs next weekend.
The relegation battle heats up yet again. With Spurs losing yet again they sit in 18th place on 30 points whilst West Ham with their win on Friday against Wolves boosting them out of the relegation spots into 17th on 32 points. Nottingham Forest managed a draw against Aston Villa which keeps them in 16th place on 33 points, lastly we have Leeds in 15th place on 33 points with a game in hand against Man United at Old Trafford tomorrow. I feel like I say this after every Spurs game but I just can’t see them going down despite their current predicament and their position in the league, I do think that De Zerbi is the right manager to get Spurs out of this relegation battle but it’s probably going to come down to the last day which won’t do the nerves of the Spurs fans any good. Some big games next week for these sides with Spurs taking on Brighton at home, West Ham facing Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, Leeds facing Wolves at Elland Road and Nottingham Forest taking on Burnley. If Spurs don’t beat Brighton next week I think it could be over with the rest of the sides down there having favourable fixtures, yet another massive game for Spurs who seek to win their first Premier League game of the year against Brighton next week.