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Rutter scores late equaliser to deny Spurs crucial win

From ecstasy to agony in under 20 minutes. The emotional rollercoaster experienced by Tottenham Hotspur fans in the closing stages of Saturday's draw with Brighton likely hinted at what is yet to come. Xavi Simons had led his team-mates in joyous celebration, the Spurs supporters joining in a collective release of pent-up emotion, after the 22-year-old's wonderful strike put Roberto de Zerbi's side on course for a first Premier League win since 28 December.

But those scenes proved premature when, in the fifth minute of eight added for stoppage time, Brighton's Georginio Rutter delivered a devastating sucker-punch. It left Spurs still one point adrift of safety with just five games remaining - a situation which could worsen with relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham yet to play - increasing their fears of a first top-flight relegation since 1977.

"It's like a defeat because we conceded a goal in extra time, but we played a great game," Tottenham head coach De Zerbi told BBC Sport. "It's tough to accept. We have to be stronger than this moment we are going through. We have to move on and prepare for the next game."

Former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand told Sky Sports: "If that was the 90th minute I could understand it, but there was a lot of football still to be played. The reaction should be to keep it tight, instead they jumped into the crowd."

But ex-Premier League defender Ashley Williams told BBC Sport he had "no issue" with Spurs' celebrations. "The goal was so important at that point in time. I know there were still minutes to be played, but with the reaction and the emotion you could see what it meant to the players," Williams said.

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Porro let Tottenham down in defensive areas against Brighton

Despite the overwhelming sense of disappointment at full-time, De Zerbi has seen enough to believe his players can escape their perilous situation. "This team is able to win five games in a row," the Italian told the media. On the surface, that faith would appear entirely unfounded. Spurs' winless run in the league now stands at 15 matches, just one short of the club's worst-ever winless league run set 91 years ago.

It is bottom club Wolves - who will be relegated if West Ham earn at least a point against Crystal Palace on Monday - against whom Spurs will seek to avoid equalling that streak endured between 1934 and 1935.

"I believe in my players and they have to believe in me. We can't think in the past. We have enough time, we have enough quality," De Zerbi said. "I don't like people who cry or think too negatively."

Tottenham defender Pedro Porro told BBC Sport: "I think after the game we don't have time for the disappointment. For me and my team-mates, the best thing is keep pushing, keep going. I think the team today was very good. The most important thing now is staying positive."

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We need to find a solution to win games - De Zerbi

Only the Championship's rock-bottom club Sheffield Wednesday have picked up fewer points (four) than Spurs (six) across English football's top four tiers in 2026. De Zerbi has been clear that his immediate attention is on restoring confidence in a group of players who have now failed to win each of their last five Premier League games in which they have led.

There were signs of encouragement for the former Seagulls boss in that regard, as his players demonstrated the fight they must show over their remaining games in going toe-to-toe with the league's form team. There was cause for optimism on the team sheet, too, as long-term absentees Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison were fit enough to start and make the bench respectively.

De Zerbi also praised the fans, whom he will hope can recreate the same atmosphere in the club's final home fixtures against Leeds and Everton. "We have to say thanks to our fans. They were fantastic, they helped the players a lot before, during and at the end of the game," said De Zerbi. "The players have to feel lucky because it's not normal that a stadium is like this if you are fighting relegation."

And while De Zerbi has put emphasis on being a "father-figure" to his players at this time, rather than overloading them with tactical information, there are already signs that the team is beginning to mould to his high press style. Both of Tottenham's came from high turnovers on Saturday, which is double the amount they have scored from all season previously.

Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, Joe Hart said: "The way Spurs pressed was really impressive and it's not something we've seen from them this season. It was a relentless press. The whole stadium was rocking as well."

Former Spurs defender Michael Dawson, speaking on Sky Sports, said: "They have to take the positives. This will feel like a loss, it was a chance to turn their fortunes around. That is something they will have to deal with. I saw the hunger, desire and commitment. De Zerbi was passionate on the touchline. I saw something in that game - it has restored some belief, but this is a starting block."

Tottenham are the only top-flight club without a win in 2026

Spurs travel to Wolves next weekend, then face difficult trips to European hopefuls Aston Villa and Chelsea in search of crucial points. The task for De Zerbi now is lifting his players after coming within only a few minutes of achieving a momentous victory, the devastation evident on his players' faces at the full-time whistle.

On what he said to his players after the game, De Zerbi told Sky Sports: "I said to be strong, to follow me again because I want to help them. They can change the mentality, that is the most important part. Now it's too easy to think negatively, but we have to be focused and work to find the condition to win again. Until the end we will fight in every game and give our best. If we are able to give our best, it's not finished yet. Today I saw signs. I saw blood, character, qualities, organisation with and without the ball. Everything to reach our target."

Spurs' challenge could yet become greater before they next kick a ball, however, with Nottingham Forest hosting Burnley and West Ham taking on Crystal Palace over the next two days.

"Now they have to sit nervously and watch Nottingham Forest and West Ham play," former Premier League midfielder Andy Reid told BBC Radio 5 Live. "If both of those teams get wins, this point turns out to be not so great. It is an anxious couple of days ahead."

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