Roberto De Zerbi offers apology as Tottenham left deflated after Brighton draw

Jack Otway
Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:22:19 +0000

Roberto De Zerbi has apologised after Tottenham failed to beat Brighton on Saturday night, with the north London giants pegged back late.

Spurs appeared to be heading towards a first victory in 15 matches when Xavi Simons struck with 13 minutes left on the clock.

However, Brighton scored late through Georginio Rutter to earn a draw - leaving their opponents still in the relegation zone in the process.

Tottenham led twice, having previously gone ahead through Pedro Porro, but were ultimately forced to settle for just a point.

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De Zerbi knows his players remain under intense pressure and, speaking afterwards, apologised for their failure to see out the contest.

"I am sorry for the result and players because they are suffering too much and we deserved to win the game against a great Brighton - a big congratulations for their style and level of players," he said.

"But we could not concede that goal from Rutter at that point of the game.

"I am positive, but I am proud of my players because they played a fantastic game full of character, spirit, what I asked of them to play in this stadium, for this club.

"We have to be stronger than this result, we have to move on and prepare the next game against Wolverhampton and to try to win the game because if you are strong like today, we can compete."

Tottenham were far better today compared to their flat performance against Sunderland six days ago.

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However, with Leeds winning and Nottingham Forest and West Ham due to return to action on Sunday, there's plenty of work to be done as they look to preserve their top-flight status.

De Zerbi insists there were more positives than negatives from his team's display, while also opening up on what he told them in the dressing room.

"I know we are fighting to stay in the Premier League. A very difficult moment. But we are lucky, every one of us to work in this club with these fans because it was an incredible atmosphere today," he said.

"You would think we are fighting for Champions League, not relegation. Until the end we will fight in every game and give our best. If we are able to give our best, it's not finished yet.

"Today I saw signs, I saw blood, character, qualities, organisation with and without the ball. Everything to reach our target.

"We have to improve a lot of things. The crucial part is to keep this mentality and I told the players to come on Monday afternoon with the same behaviour they showed today.

"I don't want to work with sad people, with negative people. They have to believe in myself. If I am here, it's because I am positive to stay in the Premier League next season.

"I said to [the players to] be strong, to follow me again and again because I want to help them. They can change the mentality because that is the most important part.

"Now it's too easy to think negative, but we have to be focused on this performance and work to find the condition to win again.

"I am positive not because I am coach of Tottenham, but because I know my players, I know their qualities. I know them like people and I believe in them."