Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi is confident that Spurs can win their last five games to avoid relegation from the Premier League. The team recently drew 2-2 against Brighton, remaining in the bottom three.
Key points
Roberto De Zerbi is the head coach of Tottenham.
Tottenham drew 2-2 against Brighton.
Spurs are currently in the bottom three of the Premier League.
They have five remaining games to secure their place in the league.
Georginio Rutter scored a late equalizer for Brighton.
Mentioned in this story
Roberto De Zerbi
Tottenham HotspurBrighton & Hove Albion
Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi believes his side can win all five of their remaining games to stay in the Premier League.
Spurs suffered stoppage-time heartbreak to draw 2-2 at home to Brighton to keep them in the bottom three.
Georginio Rutter's 95th-minute leveller denied Spurs a first league win of 2026 as well as a first victory for De Zerbi.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Tottenham’s match against Brighton in the Premier League
The draw, which ex-Spurs defender Michael Dawson told Sky Sports "felt like a defeat", leaves Tottenham a point from safety with five games left.
But despite a daunting run-in that includes trips to London rivals Chelsea and Champions League-chasing Aston Villa, De Zerbi feels his side can string together five consecutive wins to preserve their ever-present Premier League status.
He said at his post-match press conference: "I always believe in the qualities of the players. They played a good game. I think we can play better than today, with more quality, more calm, especially when we are in ball possession, but in this moment we need this spirit, this attitude, this mentality, and it's not finished yet.
"We have another five games - it's tough, every one of us knows it's a tough moment, it's a difficult situation - but we have another five games, 15 points, and this team is able to win five games in a row.
May 11: Leeds (H) - kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
May 17: Chelsea (A)
May 24: Everton (H)
"Now it's difficult to hear my words, but if you watch the players, if you analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row.
"Not to be arrogant, because I'm not arrogant, especially now, but we have enough qualities to fight and to win games in a row."
De Zerbi: Anyone with negative attitude will be sent home immediately
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Georginio Rutter scores a late leveller for Brighton in their Premier League clash with Tottenham.
Spurs' next game at all-but-relegated Wolves is a must-win for De Zerbi as Tottenham go to the Premier League's bottom side next Saturday.
But the Italian has no time for negativity ahead of the trip to Molineux, insisting that those turning up to training with the wrong attitude will "go home immediately".
Asked how he must lift the players ahead of next weekend, the Italian said: "No, they have to follow me, they have not to think, they have to follow me and to listen to me.
"I'm proud for their performance - they have to be stronger and to be focused just on the Wolverhampton game, and to come to the training ground on Monday afternoon with a smile, because otherwise they go home immediately. I have no time to see the negative people, to see the sad players or sad assistants. No.
"We are lucky because we are working in a big club, a big stadium, we are working in the Premier League. We have the right qualities to win the game, so we have to be positive, because I don't like the people who cry, who think in a negative way."
De Zerbi points to positives - but time and hope running out for Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur's Pedro Porro appears dejected after the final whistle following the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Sky Sports' Peter Smith:
This is not the moment for small steps of progress and signs of encouragement.
Tottenham are desperate for a huge, transformative boost. And time is running out.
This could have been it. Xavi Simons' brilliant, curling goal felt like the turning point. His wild celebrations which took him into the jubilant Spurs fans seemed to be a launchpad.
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Xavi Simons put Tottenham back in front with a brilliant strike in their Premier League clash with Brighton.
But Georginio Rutter's last-gasp leveller crushed that hope. Spurs were floored, with players laid out on the pitch. This will take some getting over. Perhaps this was it, for Spurs' Premier League survival.
Roberto De Zerbi can justifiably pick out positives from Spurs' performance in his first home game. He can praise the fans for the support they gave. It is natural he demands the players don't wallow in a draw which felt like a loss.
But the reality is Spurs' survival prospects have worsened.
A point gained? Yes - but there is now one less game to win to substantially shift their situation.
They've failed to win each of their last five Premier League games when they've taken the lead. They haven't tasted victory in 2026. This is a team which just can't get over the line right now, no matter what they try.
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Pedro Porro opens the scoring for Tottenham in their Premier League clash with Brighton
So how do they go into a run-in which features Champions League qualification-chasing Aston Villa away, and in-form Leeds at home, and a potential Stamford Bridge nightmare with big rivals Chelsea with confidence?
Spurs will spend another week in the relegation zone and their gap to safety could yet extend before they go to Wolves next Saturday, with Forest having two games to play before then and West Ham in action on Monday Night Football.
De Zerbi has made improvements. As he says, there is quality in these ranks. But there are deep-rooted problems within this squad that have held them down for so long. Changing that in time to salvage this club's Premier League status after this latest hammer blow is now a huge task
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