Tottenham lost 1-0 to Sunderland on Sunday with an unlucky goal in Roberto De Zerbi's first game in charge of Spurs, who are in the relegation zone with six games remaining in the Premier League.

The mission to stay up is complicated from the outset for the former OM coach, whose new team is eighteenth with 30 points, two less than the current first non-relegation spot, West Ham (17th, 32 pts).

For his first match, the Italian started Randal Kolo Muani on the right wing and the French striker thought he had given his teammates a penalty very early (21st minute), before VAR changed the referee's mind.

But it was the defense, far too porous and fragile this season, that was under scrutiny at the Stadium of Light. And it tightened things up rather well in front of Antonin Kinsky.

The Czech goalkeeper, made famous for his disastrous performance against Atlético Madrid (at fault for two goals, replaced after 17 minutes) a month ago, was in the starting lineup in the absence of Guglielmo Vicario, who was unavailable.

He distinguished himself with a decisive and courageous save in front of Brian Brobbey (45th+2), which reassured his teammates.

But the 23-year-old, like his team, had some bad luck in the second half. He was caught off guard by a shot from Nordi Mukiele that was heavily deflected by a teammate (61st minute, 1-0), then was collided with by his captain Cristian Romero, who was injured in the process and left the field in tears.

Spurs have not won a league game in 2026. They will attempt to end this anomaly next weekend at home against Brighton, whom De Zerbi managed from 2022 to 2024.

AFP