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Relegation-Threatened Tottenham Draws with Brighton; De Zerbi Says 'It's Not Over Yet'

From Hankyoreh · (21h ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Tottenham Hotspur drew 2-2 with Brighton & Hove Albion, remaining in the relegation zone of the English Premier League.
  • The team conceded late equalizers in both halves, highlighting a recurring issue with concentration.
  • Manager Roberto De Zerbi expressed frustration but remained optimistic about securing the necessary points in the remaining five games.

The Hankyoreh reports on Tottenham Hotspur's continued struggles in the English Premier League, with a disappointing 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion placing them precariously close to relegation. Despite managerial changes and the presence of talented players, the team finds itself mired in the bottom half of the table, a stark contrast to its usual standing.

The match itself was a microcosm of Tottenham's season: moments of promise followed by costly lapses. Pedro Porro's early goal gave Spurs hope, but a late equalizer from Kaoru Mitoma before halftime nullified their advantage. Although Xavi Simons put Tottenham ahead again in the second half, a last-gasp goal from Brighton's Julio Enciso in stoppage time snatched away the victory, leaving the team with a single point instead of three.

The draw feels like a defeat, but it's not over yet.

— Roberto De ZerbiExpressing disappointment with the late equalizer conceded against Brighton.

This pattern of conceding late goals has become a troubling theme for Tottenham. The draw means they remain in the relegation places, with their winless streak in 2026 extending to 15 league games (6 draws, 9 losses). Manager Roberto De Zerbi, in his home debut, acknowledged the pain of the result, stating, "The draw feels like a defeat, but it's not over yet." He remains determined, asserting that the team has the capability to win their remaining five matches and secure the necessary points to avoid the drop.

From a South Korean perspective, the performance of Son Heung-min's former club is closely watched. While Son himself is no longer with the team, the struggles of a prominent Premier League club like Tottenham capture attention. The Hankyoreh frames this not just as a football match but as a narrative of a team in crisis, highlighting the intense pressure of the Premier League relegation battle. The article conveys the frustration of the fans and the daunting task ahead for De Zerbi, emphasizing that survival in the top flight is far from guaranteed, making the final stretch of the season a nail-biting affair.

We can get 15 points in the remaining five games, and our team has the ability to win five consecutive games.

— Roberto De ZerbiShowing determination to avoid relegation despite the current poor form.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.