De Zerbi's impact at Spurs is undeniable but team's fragile self-destruction remains | Jonathan Wilson

"You're 1-0 up with 20 minutes to go. You're about to win your first home league game in 156 days. You're well on top and playing your best football in 18 months. If you can just see it through you'll be four points clear of the relegation zone with two games to go, crisis all but averted. And then your left-winger attempts an overhead in the corner of your own box and kicks an opponent in the head nearly eight feet off the ground."

"The gap to West Ham is two points. Spurs must go to Chelsea three days after the FA Cup final then face Everton at home. West Ham have Newcastle away and Leeds at home. But perhaps the most important aspect is the sense that the momentum has shifted. The pendulum that had seemingly been swinging decisively towards Tottenham has slowed; it could easily swing back again."

"The improvement under Roberto De Zerbi has been stark. The adaptation to De Zerbi football was not immediate he began with defeat at Sunderland and a home draw with Brighton but in the three games since the impact he has made has been clear. Spurs draw opponents on to press them. They're confident playing the ball in tight spaces. There is organisation and a gameplan."

"But they remain extremely fragile. No matter how positive the mood before the start, they remain Spurs and therefore prone to self-destruction. Not s"

Spurs were close to ending a long home league winless run and avoiding relegation pressure, leading with 20 minutes remaining. A left-winger’s overhead kick in their own box struck an opponent’s head, resulting in a high-altitude penalty and highlighting reckless decision-making. The match left Spurs two points ahead of West Ham, with two games remaining and a demanding schedule after the FA Cup final. West Ham face Newcastle away and Leeds at home. The overall momentum appears to have shifted, making earlier confusion under Igor Tudor feel distant. De Zerbi’s impact has been clear: opponents are drawn into pressing, Spurs play confidently in tight spaces, and the team shows organisation and a defined gameplan, though fragility persists.

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