Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi remains convinced that his side can triumph in each of their remaining five Premier League fixtures and thus preserve their top‑flight status. The Italian coach voiced his optimism after a dramatic 2-2 home draw with Brighton, a match that saw Georginio Rutter equalise in the 95th minute and denied Spurs a much‑needed victory in 2026 as well as De Zerbi’s first league win with the club. The late leveller was described by former Spurs defender Michael Dawson as feeling "like a defeat," leaving Tottenham a single point adrift of safety with only five games left on the calendar.
Despite the looming challenges – a trip to Chelsea, a visit to Aston Villa who are chasing a Champions League place, and other tough encounters – De Zerbi believes his squad possesses the quality and mental strength to string together five consecutive wins and secure the 20th‑place safety cushion. At the post‑match press conference, De Zerbi said, "I always believe in the qualities of the players.
They played a good game. I think we can play better than today, with more quality, more calm, especially when we are in ball possession, but in this moment we need this spirit, this attitude, this mentality, and it's not finished yet. We have another five games – it's tough, every one of us knows it's a tough moment, it's a difficult situation – but we have another five games, 15 points, and this team is able to win five games in a row." He added, "Now it's difficult to hear my words, but if you watch the players, if you analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row.
Not to be arrogant, because I'm not arrogant, especially now, but we have enough qualities to fight and to win games in a row." The next match, a must‑win against Wolverhampton Wanderers – a club fighting to avoid relegation themselves – will be crucial. De Zerbi warned that any player arriving at training with a negative mindset will be sent home immediately.
"They have to follow me, they must not think, they have to listen to me. I'm proud of their performance – they have to be stronger and focused just on the Wolverhampton game, and come to the training ground on Monday afternoon with a smile, because otherwise they go home immediately. I have no time for negative people, sad players or sad assistants.
No. We are lucky because we work in a big club, a big stadium, we are in the Premier League. We have the right qualities to win the game, so we have to be positive, because I don't like people who cry, who think in a negative way," he insisted. Sky Sports analyst Peter Smith echoed the urgency, stating, "This is not the moment for small steps of progress and signs of encouragement.
Tottenham are desperate for a huge, transformative boost. And time is running out." Smith noted that Xavi Simons' spectacular curling strike earlier in the Brighton game seemed to spark hope, but Rutter's last‑minute equaliser crushed that optimism, leaving the Spurs players visibly dejected on the pitch. De Zerbi can, however, highlight a few positives from his first home game. The supporters provided a raucous atmosphere, and the team showed moments of technical skill and resilience.
Still, the reality remains stark: Spurs have failed to win any of their last five Premier League matches when they have taken the lead, and they have not recorded a league victory at all in 2026. The inability to finish games has become a defining issue that the manager must address quickly. Looking ahead, Tottenham’s schedule is unforgiving. After Wolves, they travel to a high‑flying Aston Villa side chasing European competition, then host an in‑form Leeds United, before facing a potentially decisive showdown at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.
Each fixture carries significant weight, and a slip‑up could widen the gap to safety further. Meanwhile, rivals such as Nottingham Forest and West Ham still have games to play, meaning the points table could shift dramatically before Tottenham’s next outing. De Zerbi acknowledges that while there is undeniable talent within the squad, deeper structural problems have plagued the club for seasons. He emphasised that changing the team’s mentality, improving decision‑making in the final third, and fostering a relentless work ethic are essential to overturn the current trajectory.
The manager’s challenge is to translate belief into tangible results before the season concludes. In summary, Roberto De Zerbi’s message to his players and the Tottenham faithful is clear: maintain belief, reject negativity, and seize every opportunity in the remaining five matches.
The stakes could not be higher, and the club’s Premier League future hinges on whether the team can deliver the five‑game winning streak De Zerbi insists is within their grasp.