Roberto De Zerbi has defiantly declared that Tottenham Hotspur are capable of winning all five of their remaining Premier League fixtures to secure their top-flight status and pull clear of the relegation zone. The Italian manager's bold statement comes after a heart-stopping 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, which left Spurs languishing in 18th place, one point behind West Ham United and having played an additional game.
Late Drama at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
In a match filled with tension, Tottenham appeared to be on course for their first victory of 2026 when a spectacular long-range strike from Xavi Simons fired them into a late lead. However, Brighton's Georginio Rutter capitalised on a costly error by defender Kevin Danso in the 95th minute to snatch a dramatic equaliser, leaving the home supporters stunned.
De Zerbi's Unwavering Belief
Despite the crushing disappointment, De Zerbi remains resolutely optimistic about his team's prospects. "It is not finished yet," he asserted. "We know it is tough, a difficult situation, but there are another five games, 15 points, and this team is able to win five games in a row. Now it is difficult to hear my words, but watch the players and analyse their level—we can win five in a row."
He emphasised that his confidence is not born of arrogance but of a genuine belief in the squad's qualities. "I am not being arrogant because I am not arrogant, especially now, but we have the qualities to fight and win games in a row. They do not have to think. They have to follow me and listen. I am proud of the performance. They all gave their best, with the right mentality, the right blood and character."
Focus on Positivity Ahead of Wolves Clash
With a crucial away fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers looming on Saturday, De Zerbi has ordered his players to report for training on Monday with smiles on their faces, banning any negativity from the camp. "I have no time to see negative people, sad players or sad assistants," he stated firmly. "We have to be positive. I don't like people who cry and think in a negative way. They have to be strong, focus on the Wolves game and come to the training ground with a smile, otherwise they will go home immediately."
Praise for Players and Refusal to Criticise
De Zerbi was quick to praise Simons, promising that there is much more to come from the Dutch playmaker, and he refused to single out Danso for blame over the late mistake. "Danso played a fantastic game," the manager insisted. "He lost the ball and we conceded the goal, but I prefer to make mistakes with the personality to play than to concede without personality and courage. We need to play football with the ball, not to stay and defend."
Brighton Boss Backs Spurs to Survive
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler applauded his team's "resilience" and "belief" in securing a point, and he backed Tottenham to escape relegation, acknowledging their individual quality. "I could have told you before the game, they have individual quality, unbelievable players in their squad," Hurzeler said. "In their front line, they have players who can make a difference in one action. They have enough quality to make it happen. Let's see."
Reflecting on his own team's performance, Hurzeler admitted, "We didn't reach our highest standards. You can say we caused our own problems. We gave them presents but, in the end, it's our style of play and it's how you react, and we reacted well."
As the Premier League season reaches its climax, all eyes will be on whether De Zerbi's unwavering faith can inspire Tottenham to pull off a great escape and secure their survival in England's top division.
