As someone who loves ‘what if’ moments, it’s hard not to look back that The night against Chelsea was a turning point in Tottenham Hotspur’s modern history, as the Lilywhites suffered their first Premier League defeat in Ange Postecoglou’s 11th game in charge.
Depleted by two red cards and a host of injuries, the hosts held firm until the end, only to see Eric Dier volley home what looked like a stunning equalizer at the 78-minute mark.
Alas, it was not to be, as Nicolas Jackson converted one of the most impressive hat-tricks to seal a 4-1 victory, halting Postecoglou’s momentum and potentially halting the ensuing slump.
Indeed, since their defeat in November 2023, Spurs – who started the season unbeaten – have gone on to lose a further 49 league games, 16 of which came in 2025/26.
Roberto De Zerbi, who has now played two games at Tottenham, needs to stop the rot, and quickly, to avoid this two-year slump reaching a new nadir.
What we learned from Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Brighton
Igor Tudor chopped and changed, in terms of personnel and strategy, although in De Zerbi’s 4-3-3 or 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, there is a clear plan emerging, with Conor Gallagher leading the press in what was a high-octane performance from the home side at N17.
The English youngster looks set to be key to the Italian’s form based on the first two games, as he chased down Brighton and Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen with one notable performance at the weekend.
Gallagher is important, it seems, and so should Xavi Simons, the Dutchman who was reinstated in the starting line-up and took his chance with both hands, putting on Pedro Porro in the opener, while scoring what looked like a winner.
Criticism of his jubilant celebration, given what followed during the suspension, is to be expected, but such a reaction from the 22-year-old was understandable after a season in which he was starved of consistent minutes under successive managers.
Positives can also be seen in the calm performance of Antonin Kinsky and for the second weekend in a row, the Czech ‘keeper shook off his Madrid woes to emerge as one of the most outstanding players of the De Zerbi era so far.
Having missed out on 2026 so far, Spurs clearly look better than Rodrigo Bentancur, after failing to win without him, and it was also learned about those who were not in the starting XI on Saturday.
New Eric Dier could be on the edge now under De Zerbi
Dier was denied his moment of magic against the Blues, and was subsequently denied a bigger role under Postecoglou, leaving in January 2024 after just four Premier League appearances in the first half of the season.
Once a respected member of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, the England international turned to the offense in his final days at Spurs, making three mistakes and conceding two penalties in 2020/21.
The lingering issue was the uncertainty of his best position, be it right winger, central midfielder, full back or part of a back three, as the 32-year-old has never played a role.
|
Dier – PL record at Spurs |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The season |
Games |
Goals |
|
23/24 |
4 |
|
|
22/23 |
33 |
2 |
|
21/22 |
35 |
|
|
20/21 |
28 |
|
|
19/20 |
19 |
|
|
18/19 |
20 |
3 |
|
17/18 |
34 |
|
|
16/17 |
36 |
2 |
|
15/16 |
37 |
3 |
|
14/15 |
28 |
2 |
That appears to be an issue that plagues his partner in the current ranks Djed Spence, the former Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough man who has played a major role in his tumultuous Tottenham career so far.
The £20m signing, to his credit, overcame a start under Antonio Conte to emerge as a regular from Postecoglou’s time in charge, even now in contention for a World Cup place despite Thomas Tuchel’s many back-line options.
Hopes of a trip to the United States could be hampered by the end of the campaign under De Zerbi, however, with Spence failing to start either of the last two games, as the new manager favors the usual full-back pairing of Porro and Destiny Udogie.
Using a right-footed left-back doesn’t seem to be on De Zerbi’s mind, and the man Porro seems to suit the reverse, creative role that the former Marseille boss loves on the right.
Spence – who has operated as a full-back or as a full-back this season – is perhaps suffering from the lack of a place to play at the back, left to something as flexible as Dier before him.
Equally, there are questions to be asked about his defensive role – like Dier’s – as he was pointed out by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher against the Seagulls for going back to set up Georginio Rutter’s late equaliser:
“But Djed Spence, I don’t like this. You have to run back again. You’re leaving. You were a sub. You only have 15 minutes.”
Considering the 25-year-old has never scored or assisted in the top flight, it’s hard to see what he’s contributing to the side, leaving his long-term future under De Zerbi in doubt.
After seeing one Italian boss look at him early in his time in north London, another may now come to a conclusion.
De Zerbi could bench Gallagher for Spurs’ Gazza & Hoddle hybrid
You wouldn’t suspect the quality of his work, but quality was still lacking in Tottenham’s Conor Gallagher on Saturday.
