Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Leeds: Spurs let lead slip as relegation scrap rumbles on

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi has been talking to Sky Sports after the game and he was quite disappointed with the display.

But he admits that is the impact of being in the relegation scrap as the tension remains.

Spurs are two points above the drop zone with two games to go...

Leeds are all over Spurs!

Sub Sean Longstaff is played in and he smashes an effort at the near post.

Kinsky does so well to push it on to the bar and it comes our.

Longstaff can’t believe it.

He then has a chance at the back post but prods it wide.

Spurs are hanging on.

13 minutes of stoppage time!

After that long VAR review and plenty of subs, that is about right I guess.

Still seems like a lot of time to add on.

Spurs are pushing for a late winner and their fans are pushing them.

Can they find it?

Spurs playmaker James Maddison is back from injury and gets a huge ovation.

After suffering a serious knee injury in preseason last summer, he is back for his first minutes of the season. Lovely to see. De Zerbi gives him a big hug.

Can he be the hero Spurs need?

Leeds have almost got in a few times in recent minutes.

The clock is ticking…

Leeds are level.

Calvert-Lewin steps uk and smashes home the penalty kick past Kinsky, who dove the right way.

20 minutes to go and Leeds are fired up.

Can Spurs hold on for at least a point?

Leeds have been really good at coming back and scoring late on this season.

They are going to have a proper go now.

Big, big moment for Spurs.

Ethan Ampadu heads the ball in the box but Mathys Tel swings his foot at the ball.

He catches Ampadu and the Leeds midfielder goes down.

VAR tells the referee to go to the screen and he has a good look.

He’s given a penalty kick.

Tel can’t really have a complaint.

That was dangerous.

Spurs are well on top now and they should have a second goal.

Kolo Muani does really well to get in on the right of the box.

He squares the ball back to Richarlison who is six yards out but skies his effort over the bar.

That was a big chance.

If that goes in, it’s game over.

Spurs are rampant and Leeds are hanging on.

Wow. What a goal and what a huge moment for Spurs.

A corner is whipped in and flicked to the edge of the box.

Mathys Tel is there and curls home a beauty.

The players, staff and fans go wild. Spurs are deservedly ahead.

Tel has been really good today and deserved that moment.

As it stands, Spurs are four points above West Ham and are edging closer to safety.

Well, as 0-0’s go, that was a very decent first half.

Leeds started better and Rodon was denied by Kinsky.

But then Spurs surged into the game and had some big chances with Mathys Tel and Joao Palhinha both going close.

This game is there for Spurs to win but they will want to get a goal early in the second half to settle themselves down a bit.

Leeds will look to hang in there and hit Spurs on the counter. They will be the happier team at the break.

Joao Palhinha can’t believe he hasn’t scored.

A cross drops to him on the edge of the box and he squirms past a couple of tackles.

Palhinha has a clear sight of goal but his shot is rising and goes over. He should hit the target.

Spurs are well on top now. They are all over Leeds and looking really confident on the ball

The home fans are right behind them.

Mathys Tel cuts in from the left and beats several players with some lovely skill.

He just keeps on going and is in the box.

Tel’s shot is heading on target but a block comes in and deflects the ball over the bar.

He can’t believe it. What a run and solo effort that was.

Spurs need a goal to settle down and befor half time would be great.

That looked certain to go in but Kinsky comes up with a big save.

A corner to the back post finds Joe Rodon and he powers a low header on goal.

It looks to be going over the line but Kinsky somehow saves before it goes in.

That is a big moment. Leeds are pushing for an opener.

Mathys Tel is in his own box and instead of knocking the ball out for a corner he plays it across the box with several Leeds players lurking.

Kevin Danso luckily gets a slight touch on a header to clear the ball from danger.

That was a really nervous moment for Spurs.

Roberto De Zerbi is shouting at his players from the sidelines and telling them to calm down.

That is a big, big chance for Spurs early on.

A ball is slipped through the heart of the Leeds defense and Richarlison bends his run and is onside.

But his first touch is heavy and Darlow comes out and the chance goes begging.

Spurs are starting to grow into the game now. This is much better from them.

We are underway in north London, and Leeds have started better than Spurs.

They are playing the ball up to Calvert-Lewin and building off it.

Spurs look a bit nervous early on and are clearly wary of pushing too high and getting caught on the counter.

Okay, the team news is in for Spurs and Leeds and it is pretty much as expected.

Tottenham Hotspur starting lineup

Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison

Roberto De Zerbi has gone for an unchanged lineup for Spurs, as their 4-2-3-1 formation worked really well in their win at Aston Villa last weekend. Conor Gallagher will flourish in a slightly freer role and will be given plenty of encouragement to break forward and support Richarlison as much as possible.

Leeds starting lineup

Darlow; Justin, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; Stach, Ampadu, Tanaka; James, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson

It looks like Daniel Farke has gone for a back four, probably because of injuries, but Leeds have the pressure off as their Premier League safety is confirmed and they can go out there and have a go at Spurs. James and Aaronson will be key to getting them up the pitch quickly and staying there, while Leeds have to get the ball up to Dominic Calvert-Lewin early and often to make sure he isn’t isolated.

For everything you need for Spurs against Leeds, click here.

Spurs are the favorites to win this one, which is understandable given they have finally found some form in recent weeks. But nobody should underestimate Leeds and Spurs have the second worst home record in the league this season.

Leeds are such a tough team to play against and Daniel Farke should be lauded for keeping them in the Premier League and being brave with a big tactical switch midway through the season (to a 3-4-2-1 system) which played a huge part in saving them.

With Leeds now officially safe from relegation, the pressure is off and they can go out there and enjoy themselves even more in the final three games of the season. That could be dangerous for Spurs.

Here is how to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Leeds in the USA:

How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Leeds live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 3pm ET Monday (May 11)
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — North London
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch on USA

Their quality is undoubted but Spurs’ confidence has been lacking all season long as injuries, bad luck and general confusion around the direction of the club and the team has riddled their campaign.

But Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival on a long-term contract a few weeks ago has settled all of that down and given Spurs’ players some much-needed direction and focus.

Spurs’ injuries have calmed down a little (even though they’ve still lose some big players in recent weeks) which has helped massively, but De Zerbi has also built a solid foundation and given them some clear ideas on how to attack and defend as a unit.

They look so much better in attack and are much more robust in midfield and defense. It no longer looks like Spurs are going to beat themselves in games. That is the first step.

Now, with a win pushing them close to safety in the Premier League, can they put it altogether again and do something they haven’t done all season long and win three league games in a row?

Leeds will let them have the ball and be dangerous on the counter, but Spurs look happier to be in possession and are now more solid. This feels like the night Spurs take a huge step towards staying in the Premier League and staving off relegation.