Tottenham Hotspur have now gone 14 games without a win in the Premier League. Even the new head coach Roberto de Zerbi cannot stop this negative run. Instead, the next defeat is on the cards.
Roberto de Zerbi had just under two weeks to give his new team fresh impetus in the Premier League, which has been in a slump since the end of December. The Italian joined Spurs on March 31 after his predecessor Igor Tudor had to leave his post after just 44 days in charge. Now de Zerbi celebrated his Spurs debut at promoted Sunderland.
Instead of the first league win in the 2026 calendar year, however, the next defeat came. Compared to the 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest at the end of March, which had sealed Tudor’s exit, de Zerbi made five changes to the starting eleven, including ex-Frankfurt player Kolo Muani from the start.
Distorted goal brings the decision
The 27-year-old appeared to have won a penalty for the visitors in the 21st minute, at least when referee Robert Jones blew his whistle. However, the VAR intervened and correctly withdrew the penalty. In a game of limited quality, Sunderland created a few chances through a direct corner from Xhaka and Brobbey, while Solanke failed to score at the other end shortly before the break.
In keeping with Spurs’ current trend, they conceded a goal in the 61st minute. Mukiele was unchallenged on a solo run from the right flank into the center, took a shot from just over 18 meters out – and was extremely lucky that his shot was deflected out of the way of Spurs keeper Kinsky, back in goal for the injured Vicario for the first time since his brief and hapless Champions League appearance at Atletico.
Tears for Spurs captain Romero
But things got even worse for Tottenham: a few minutes after conceding the goal, captain Romero collided with Kinsky after a shove from Brobbey. The game was interrupted for a few minutes due to the treatment break, after which the Argentinian had to be substituted in tears. Kinsky was at least able to continue playing.
However, the Spurs had no comeback in sight. After West Ham had won 4-0 against bottom club Wolverhampton on Friday and moved past Spurs, Tottenham finished a Premier League matchday in the course of the season in a relegation place for the first time in 17 years. The gap to West Ham is two points – with six games still to play.
Next up for Spurs will be de Zerbi’s former team Brighton next Saturday (6.30pm). Sunderland, meanwhile, are 16 points clear of the relegation zone and can expect to stay up.
