Tottenham Hotspur remain in the bottom three as they were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw at home to Brighton.
In what was Roberto De Zerbi’s first home match in charge, he was unable to guide Spurs to victory against his former employers in Saturday’s late afternoon kick-off.
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The north London outfit still haven’t tasted victory in the top-flight since a 1-0 away win at Crystal Palace on December 28.
Since that match, they have been beaten on nine occasions while drawing six times.
But they came to within three minutes of ending the four-month wait – only to concede in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Late heartbreak
Tottenham were on course to momentarily lift themselves out of the drop zone and into 16th spot.
Xavi Simons thought he was going to be the hero for Tottenham after he emphatically curled home in the 77th minute.
His bending strike from distance smashed in off the post – sparking bedlam inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But the hosts couldn’t keep out Brighton, with Georginio Rutter firing home into the top right corner to silence the home supporters.
It was the second time in the match that the Seagulls came back from behind after Pedro Porro headed home Simons’ clipped in cross in the 39th minute for the game’s opening goal.
But Tottenham’s lead wouldn’t last for long, as Kaoru Mitoma equalised in emphatic fashion in first half stoppage time.
In a strike reminiscent of Marco van Basten’s stunner in the Euro 1988 final, Mitoma volleyed home into the roof of the net from a right angle after being picked out by Pascal Gross.
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And just like the first half, the second half commenced with a Brighton goal in added time.
Spurs now sit one point off safety, though West Ham, who occupy 17th spot, could increase the gap to four points should they beat Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night.
Meanwhile, 16th-placed Nottingham Forest can go five points clear of Spurs if they emerge victorious over Burnley on Sunday.
Tottenham’s result has also kept Wolves in the Premier League for at least two more nights.
Sitting rock bottom with 17 points, a Spurs win over Brighton would have made it mathematically impossible for them to finish any higher than 18th.
Though they know that should West Ham earn at least a draw against the Eagles, they will drop down into the Championship for the first time since 2018.
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Tottenham vs Brighton reaction
Claiming that the draw may have a massive psychological impact on Spurs, ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor said on the GameDay Phone-In: “It can be tragic.
“Because these players would have been celebrating, probably would have done a lap of honour after the game.
“And psychologically, they would have went ahead of West Ham, also ahead of Nottinghham Forest on goal difference.
“Now if you’re West Ham and Nottingham Forest at home, you’re like, ‘Thank you, thank you Brighton.'”
