ROBERTO DE ZEBRI RAGES OVER 'NOT CALM' REFEREE AS TOTTENHAM BOSS QUESTIONS CRUTIAL VAR CALLS IN LEEDS DRAW

 

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Tottenham Hotspur missed a golden opportunity to pull away from the Premier League relegation zone after being held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United. Following a game defined by spectacular goals and controversial VAR interventions, head coach Roberto De Zerbi suggested the officiating was influenced by the high-stakes nature of the survival battle.

Tel goes from hero to villain

Tottenham appeared set to move four points clear of 18th-placed West Ham when Mathys Tel opened the scoring with a sublime 20-yard curling effort shortly after half-time. However, the young Frenchman's afternoon soured when a reckless attempted bicycle kick inside his own area caught Ethan Ampadu, leading to a penalty after a VAR review. Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted the spot-kick to earn Leeds a point, while Spurs were ultimately indebted to goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky for a stunning late save that prevented a total collapse.

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De Zerbi questions officials

De Zerbi was clearly irked by the officiating, specifically regarding a late penalty shout for James Maddison that was ignored despite a VAR check. Regarding the referee's performance, the Italian told BBC Match of the Day: "The VAR in West Ham-Arsenal was a foul, it was clear. Today, I did not see honestly. I didn't watch the Maddison penalty, maybe yes, maybe no. I heard my assistant but I don't want to come inside a polemic. The referee was not calm today. Maybe he felt the pressure of yesterday? He is human and it can happen, but no problem. He was good on the pitch. We prepare the next two games."

Focus on survival performance

The result leaves Tottenham just two points above the drop zone, failing to fully capitalise on West Ham's recent controversial loss against Arsenal. Discussing the performance and the relegation fight, De Zerbi said: "I think we have to consider the result but we have to consider the performance. We played a good game, we are making points, in the last four games we made eight points. Congratulations to Leeds, they played a great game, they have to play the last game at West Ham and we've no doubt that they will play the same way."

- Adhe Makayasa

CRYSTAL PALACE PUNISH TEN MAN SPURS IN PREMIER LEAGUE TURNAROUND

Tottenham Hotspur V Crystal Palace. Premier League The Crystal Palace players celebrate their goal during the Tottenham Hotspur V Crystal Palace Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Tottenham Tottenham Hotspur Stadium UK Copyright: xMartinxDaltonx Spurs_CPalace_050326_MD_034

Spurs Collapse as Crystal Palace Strike Three in Chaotic North London Clash

Tottenham’s difficult Premier League campaign took another damaging turn as Crystal Palace stunned Spurs with a devastating burst of first half goals at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. What began as a promising evening for the home side quickly descended into confusion and anxiety, leaving Spurs hovering just above the relegation zone and searching for answers.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, delivered one of their most assured performances of the season, turning a tense contest into a decisive victory that lifts them to 13th place in the table.

Spurs Season Drifts Further Into Trouble

Spurs entered the match under pressure, particularly after rivals around them collected valuable points earlier in the week. The expectation inside the stadium was that Tottenham would begin aggressively, yet Crystal Palace were sharper from the outset.

Adam Wharton forced Guglielmo Vicario into action inside the opening minute, signalling Palace’s intent. Tottenham responded with a chance of their own as Mathys Tel tested Dean Henderson, though the match remained finely balanced.

It appeared Spurs had taken control when Dominic Solanke opened the scoring in the 34th minute. Archie Gray surged to the byline before cutting the ball back for Solanke, who finished from close range to give the home crowd brief optimism.

The momentum lasted only moments. Four minutes later, Micky van de Ven misjudged the flight of a ball and brought down Ismaila Sarr, conceding a penalty and receiving a red card. Spurs were reduced to ten men, and the tone of the match changed immediately.

Palace Punish Spurs With Ruthless Burst

Sarr converted the penalty in the 40th minute, sending Vicario the wrong way to restore parity. Crystal Palace sensed vulnerability and accelerated.

Jorgen Strand Larsen then struck just before half time, sliding a composed finish through Vicario’s legs after Wharton delivered a precise pass. Moments later, Sarr struck again, finishing another swift Palace attack to complete a remarkable spell in which three goals arrived in twelve minutes.

Thousands of Tottenham supporters headed for the exits at half time, the scoreboard reflecting both Palace’s efficiency and Spurs’ fragility.

Igor Tudor Faces Growing Questions

Tottenham’s defeat extends their winless league run to eleven matches and leaves them only one point above the relegation zone. The club has yet to secure a Premier League victory in 2026.

Igor Tudor, appointed on an interim basis following Thomas Frank’s departure, has now lost all three matches since taking charge. His attempt to alter the course of Spurs’ season has yet to produce a meaningful response from the players.

Yet visible frustration among the squad tells its own story. Pedro Porro’s animated exchange with Tudor after being substituted added to a sense that cohesion is missing at a crucial moment in the season.

Crystal Palace Momentum Builds Under Glasner

For Crystal Palace, this victory reflects a team rediscovering belief. Oliver Glasner has faced scrutiny following a difficult spell, particularly after announcing that he will leave the club at the end of the season.

On this evidence, Palace still possess the attacking clarity that carried them to FA Cup success last season. Wharton dictated play from midfield, Sarr provided cutting edge in attack, and Strand Larsen continues to settle effectively following his January arrival.

If Palace maintain this form, their league position should stabilise comfortably while attention turns toward their Conference League campaign.

For Spurs, however, the coming weeks may define their entire season.

- Ahmed Khan

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR CONDEMN RACIST ABUSE AGAINST MATHYS TEL AFTER UEFA SUPER CUP

Mathys Tel, who joined the team on a permanent basis from Bayern Munich in the offseason after a loan spell last season, hit his shootout penalty wide.

Tottenham Hotspur have slammed the "cowards" who racially abused Mathys Tel.© X (Twitter

Tottenham Hotspur have slammed the "cowards" who racially abused French forward Mathys Tel after the team's loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup after a penalty shootout. The 20-year-old Tel, who is Black, was one of two Tottenham players who failed to convert their penalties as they lost the shootout 4-3 to PSG after a 2-2 draw. “We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night's UEFA Super Cup defeat," Tottenham said in a statement.

"Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards — hiding behind anonymous user names and profiles to spout their abhorrent views."

Tottenham said the club will work with the authorities and social media platforms to take “the strongest possible action against any individual we are able to identify.”

"We stand with you, Mathys,” Spurs added.

Tel, who joined the team on a permanent basis from Bayern Munich in the offseason after a loan spell last season, went on as a substitute in the 79th minute when Tottenham was 2-0 ahead.

He hit his shootout penalty wide.

- Associated Press

MARCUS RASHFORD EXIT COULD OPEN FOUR TRANSFERS FOR MANCHESTER UNITED

Marcus Rashford's future at Manchester United has taken another turn ahead of the January transfer window closing

Marcus Rashford in action for Manchester United at Aston Villa (Image: Getty Images)

Marcus Rashford started the day thinking his options away from Manchester United had disintegrated but may well end it with a new potential opportunity.

MEN Sport reported this morning that Barcelona were unlikely to agree to a deal in the January transfer window and would instead be interested in waiting until the summer to complete a Rashford deal. However, a twist was to come from The Athletic who report on Friday evening that Aston Villa have entered talks to sign the winger.

It is unclear whether Villa would want to sign him on loan or permanently but they will have some money to spend soon with Jhon Duran set to join Al Nassr. Should Rashford now leave before the January transfer window closes, MEN Sport has taken a closer look at the deals that could be opened up for completion in the aftermath.

It is unclear whether Villa would want to sign him on loan or permanently but they will have some money to spend soon with Jhon Duran set to join Al Nassr. Should Rashford now leave before the January transfer window closes, MEN Sport has taken a closer look at the deals that could be opened up for completion in the aftermath.

Patrick Dorgu

Lecce's full-back is on the cusp of joining United but the Reds are looking to complete another exit before green lighting that through. The exit to allow Dorgu's arrival was believed to be Tyrell Malacia but in the short-term, should Rashford depart first, then the Serie A wide man can arrive.

That would be seen as a big bonus for United considering Ruben Amorim's desire to strengthen the left-side of his squad this winter.

Mathys Tel

Tottenham Hotspur are understood to be pushing incredibly hard to sign Tel before the deadline on Monday but reports from Germany suggest the winger is currently uninterested in a permanent move to North London. A loan switch is thought to be more favourable for Tel at present and United are apparently willing to offer him that.

With Rashford gone, the Reds could advance their negotiations with Bayern and perhaps sign a very exciting young talent in the process.

Bayern Munich winger Mathys Tel (Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Geovany Quenda

Last year, the Manchester Evening News reported that Sporting's Geovany Quenda was an option for the end of the season. If Rashford were to leave, United could loan in Tel until the end of the season before making a permanent move for Amorim's former player in the summer.

That would perhaps be the best of both worlds considering that Tel may potentially decide his permanent home is not in the Premier League.

Viktor Gyokeres

Ultimately, a permanent sale of Rashford to Villa, Barcelona or another club would be used to help the Reds sign a centre-forward. Gyokeres remains Amorim's guy and having stuck to his word of not pursuing him in January, you feel it is only a matter of time before seeds are sown to sign him in the summer.

The Swede will not come cheap so any money that United can recoup from Rashford's sale willbe used, at least in part, to sign Gyokeres.

- Jack Flintham