De Zerbi can’t stop Tottenham pain as relegation crisis grows with Sunderland loss

Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge of Tottenham ended in a disheartening defeat after they were beaten 1-0 by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Italian took over from Igor Tudor, who left north London last month, and Spurs entered the contest in the Premier League relegation zone after West Ham beat Wolves on Friday.

An open first half saw Spurs have a penalty decision overturned in the 21st minute and both teams enjoy opportunities, with Brian Brobbey, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke all going close.

However, Sunderland took the lead 11 minutes into the second half through Nordi Mukiele’s deflected strike, which proved to be enough as Regis Le Bris’ side clinched back-to-back league wins.

Defeat leaves Spurs languishing two points adrift in the drop zone with six games left to play, still searching for their first Premier League win of 2026.

De Zerbi gave a start to goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who had not appeared since his 17-minute nightmare in the Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid last month.

It was one of five changes the former Brighton boss made from Spurs’ last outing against Nottingham Forest, but he was not able to oversee an instant improvement.

Pedro Porro’s early effort was saved by Robin Roefs and Spurs threatened again when Randal Kolo Muani played Richarlison in, but the forward had his meek shot held by the Sunderland goalkeeper.

At the other end, Cristian Romero had to make an important intervention from a Sunderland attack and Granit Xhaka’s inswinging delivery was tipped over the crossbar by Kinsky from the resulting corner.

Kinsky made a brave stop to deny Brobbey after he had been found by Enzo Le Fee and the Netherlands striker nodded over from his next opportunity.

Spurs were awarded a penalty in the 21st minute when Kolo Muani was ruled to have been fouled in the area, but following a VAR consultation, referee Rob Jones overturned his original decision as Omar Alderete clearly won the ball.

The chances continued to come as Solanke’s attempt was taken by Roefs before Mukiele nodded wide from a Le Fee free-kick and Xhaka’s vicious strike from the edge of the area whistled past the post.

In first half stoppage-time, Brobbey – who Spurs felt should have seen red instead of a yellow for catching Porro with an elbow – was denied again by a solid save from Kinsky and Roefs made a crucial stop at the opposite end from Solanke.

Luke O’Nien made an important intervention to deny Richarlison early in the second half and the Spurs forward then had a low effort held by Roefs.

But Sunderland opened the scoring in the 61st minute when Mukiele weaved from the right flank towards the outside of the box and his strike deflected off Micky van de Ven’s foot to leave the wrong-footed Kinsky with no chance.

De Zerbi made a triple substitution with Mathys Tel, Joao Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr introduced just before a worrying moment saw Romero and Kinsky collide after the former appeared to be pushed by Brobbey.

Following a lengthy stoppage, the Spurs goalkeeper had a bandage wrapped around his head and was able to continue, but a tearful Romero was replaced by Kevin Danso.

Spurs had 11 minutes of added time to salvage a point, but despite Porro being denied twice by Roefs – having both a free-kick and vicious strike pushed over the bar – Spurs could not avoid a 16th league loss.