De Zerbi ready for relegation fight ‘until the last minute’ after Leeds frustrate Spurs

Roberto De Zerbi vowed that Tottenham will take their relegation battle to the wire after their hopes of staying up were dented by a frustrating 1-1 draw with Leeds.

The north Londoners looked set to move four points clear of 18th-placed West Ham with two games to play after a brilliant goal from Mathys Tel set them on the path to a first home win in the league since 6 December. However Tel ruined a good night’s work when he gave away a penalty with a wild foul on Ethan Ampadu, allowing Dominic Calvert-Lewin to equalise from the spot.

The frustration was vast for Tottenham. They visit Chelsea and host Everton in their last two games. West Ham, two points behind, have a trip to Newcastle and a home game against Leeds. De Zerbi, who took over from Igor Tudor last month, anticipates a tough battle after recovering from defeat to Sunderland in his first game with a run of eight points from his next four.

“It will be tough until the last minute against Everton,” the Tottenham head coach said. “But after the Sunderland game it was difficult to raise ourselves to stay two points above West Ham. We can’t forget what was the situation just 15 days ago. We can’t forget we made eight points from four games.

“The last defeat for Leeds was 3 March, at home. And West Ham 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.”

De Zerbi insisted that his side do not have a mental block at home and he stood by Tel, whose foul left Ampadu dazed and bruised.

“A big hug and a big kiss, nothing more,” De Zerbi said of his reaction to the youngster after full time. “He is a young player, a big talent. He scored a big goal and made a mistake. He has not played too many games in his career and we have to accept it but I am proud.”

De Zerbi offered no comment on a late claim for a penalty when James Maddison went down in the area.