‘It’s a shame we’re in this place’ as Tottenham’s battle goes into the final day
James Maddison admitted it was a “shame” that Tottenham found themselves fighting a losing battle on the final day of the season after a 2-1 defeat by Chelsea left their Premier League survival in the balance.
Enzo Fernandez bent a stunning long-range effort into the bottom corner on 18 minutes to give Chelsea the lead, before Andrey Santos headed home from six yards on 67 minutes to double their advantage.
Richarlison’s close-range strike with 16 minutes remaining gave Spurs hope, but they were unable to find an equaliser, Maddison’s stoppage-time free-kick clearing the bar for the evening’s final action.
Tottenham must now avoid defeat against Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, or hope that Leeds United do them a favor against West Ham, to protect their top-flight status.
Maddison, who was making only his second appearance of the season after a long absence, came off the bench with his side having scored two goals and left no doubt about the level of what is needed this weekend.
“We have to give everything for the team, for the badge, for the fans. It’s a shame that we’re in this place. We’ll need our fans, who were unbelievable tonight. I think we’re the best in the league.”
On his return from injury and what he can offer on Sunday, Maddison was honest about the limits of where he is physically.
“It’s a very bad time. You want to go on the pitch 1-0 and touch it. It’s very difficult at 2-0. It was a little rough as I was coming. I’ve been out for a long time, so I won’t be at my best. I had a big injury and you have to respect my injury on Sunday.”
He went on to say: “It’s my job, it’s something I’m paid to do, I haven’t played this season but if I play it’s something we have to do, anyone who has worked in football or been injured is not easy to go back. It would be a disaster in my career if something happens.”
De Zerbi: ‘We played a great game – we lost’
Roberto De Zerbi cut a frustrated but defiant figure in his post-match assessment, refusing to accept that the performance was worth the result while acknowledging the moments that cost his team.
Tel hit the post early on, and Richarlison had a header saved by Sanchez before the hour mark, but Spurs were denied by Fernandez’s first goal and lost the game in a dangerous position to allow Santos to make it 2-0.
“We created the first chance to score a goal with Tel. It was a great save from Sanchez. Then we conceded one good goal because Fernandez, a big player, we could do something better. Then we stayed in the game until the second goal was scored, we lost a stupid ball. We conceded the second goal. But before the second goal, we created a big chance with Richarlison.
“I think we played a very good game, we lost.
“Now is not the time to think too much about this game. We have to prepare for the next game. We play in our stadium with our fans. With our qualities, character, pride and courage, we have to play. But I am hopeful because today we played a good game.”
West Ham play Leeds on the final day. If Spurs fail to beat Everton and West Ham take the three points, the gap between the sides could close enough on goal difference to decide who goes down.
