EPL: De Zerbi's Spurs Suffer 1-0 Loss to Sunderland in Relegation Battle
Roberto De Zerbi's first game as Tottenham manager ends in defeat as Sunderland win 1-0, leaving Spurs struggling in relegation zone.
Destiny Udogie made two crucial interventions, throwing Brobbey off balance...
Tottenham's relegation fears deepened as Roberto De Zerbi suffered a 1-0 loss to Sunderland in his first game.
Spurs had an early chance, but it ended in frustration as Randal Kolo Muani's layoff to Richarlison led to a tame effort on goal.
Sunderland improved after a shaky start, with Granit Xhaka leading the charge. The Swiss midfielder even tried an Olimpico, but Antonin Kinsky made a sharp save, tipping it over.
Overall, the Czech stopper looked like an entirely different person to the one that crumbled so horrifically against Atletico Madrid just a month ago.
Nordi Mukiele's second-half goal lifts @SunderlandAFC into the top half of the table 📈 pic.twitter.com/zwa3u8YKza
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 12, 2026
Most notably, he made two crucial saves to thwart Brian Brobbey at close range, despite Spurs’ defenders failing to pick him up at the end of a Xhaka free kick on both occasions.
Yet, it would still be Spurs with the greater sense of resentment at half-time, having also seen a penalty rescinded by VAR after a combination of Omar Alderete and Luke O'Nien apparently brought down Muani inside the box.
While Tottenham Hotspur had shown greater chemistry on the attack, there was still a sense that set pieces could be their undoing as the second half began.
But in a similar way to the first half, Spurs emerged the stronger, and O’Nien had to intervene at the last second to prevent Richarlison from finishing at the near post on a breakaway.
The Brazilian also missed a decent chance at the hour mark, when again underhitting towards the far corner from a narrow angle.
In typical Spurs style, they were punished instantly. Nordi Mukiele fired Sunderland ahead with a deflected shot that went in off Micky van de Ven – a freak goal that only the doomed tend to concede.
He was a rampant figure on the right flank, and went for glory after drifting into the centre. The ball deflected wickedly off Van de Ven, and it was all over.
That could've sparked a Spurs comeback, but Sunderland were determined to hold on.
Destiny Udogie made two crucial interventions, throwing Brobbey off balance and then making a goalline clearance late on, securing Sunderland's first home win in four attempts.
Spurs pushed hard for an equalizer in 11 minutes of added time, but it wasn't their night.
Pedro Porro had a late chance, but it was tipped over, and the final whistle brought more heartache for Tottenham.
Spurs looked different before halftime, but it's hard to see how they avoid relegation.
The stakes are high for next weekend's clash with Brighton – it's bigger than their recent European finals. Sunderland, on the other hand, are dreaming of Europe again.
West Ham WIN ✅
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 12, 2026
Nottingham Forest DRAW ⚖️
The only sides in the bottom six to pick up points so far this week 📊 pic.twitter.com/VZ8VgqC5jR
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