'No time for negative people': Tottenham manager demands positivity after late goal dashes Premier League survival hopes
Tottenham remain rooted inside the relegation zone. Chelsea are stuck outside the Champions League spots.
It was a disappointing Sunday (AEST) for the two London giants in the Premier League, starting with Tottenham conceding an equaliser deep into stoppage time to draw 2-2 with Brighton.
That kept Spurs, ever-presents in England's top flight since 1978, in third-to-last place and in grave danger of relegation with five games left.
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Xavi Simons looked as if he'd won the game for Tottenham when he cut inside and curled a finish into the top corner in the 77th minute, sparking joyous celebrations by newly-hired manager Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian, formerly Brighton's manager, was taking charge of his second game as Spurs boss and first at home.
Roberto De Zerbi. Getty
"They have to follow me, they have not to think, they have to follow me and to listen to me," he said.
"I'm proud of their performance, they have to be stronger and to be focused just on the Wolverhampton game (next week).
"And to come to the training ground on Tuesday afternoon with a smile, because otherwise they go home immediately.
"I have no time to see negative people, to see 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."
Tottenham are still without a win in the Premier League in 2026 a stretch of 15 matches and 111 days since their victory in late December.
The Tottenham side was in front all game until they were stunned by Brighton's equaliser. Twitter
That's a remarkable run for one of the country's so-called “Big Six” which played in the Champions League this season as the reigning Europa League winner.
Georginio Rutter's late equaliser for Brighton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium meant last-place Wolverhampton's impending relegation was put off for bit longer.
Chelsea then lost 1-0 at home to Manchester United in a showdown between teams fighting for a place in the top five and Champions League qualification. Matheus Cunha scored the only goal.
"It is so difficult. Today they had one shot on target while we were down to 10 men," Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior said.
"We had wave after wave of attack and hit the woodwork I think four times. I don't want my team to feel things are against us. We have to keep fighting."
While United strengthened their grip on third place, Chelsea stayed in sixth and appear increasingly unlikely to get back into Europe's top competition next season.
That would be a huge financial blow to Chelsea's American ownership which has spent heavily to build the playing squad.
Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho tussles with former Manchester United team-mate Diogo Dalot. Getty
Tottenham are now a point behind West Ham, and two behind Nottingham Forest.
