Roberto De Zerbi levelled criticism at the match officials following Tottenham’s tense 1-1 draw with Leeds United, implying that the storm surrounding VAR rulings earlier in the weekend may have unsettled the referees at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In yet another Premier League fixture clouded by officiating controversy, Spurs were left seething after two significant VAR interventions played a defining role in a match carrying enormous relegation implications.
Tottenham had appeared destined for a vital three points when Mathys Tel unleashed a superb strike into the top corner to put the hosts in front. The French forward’s evening took a dramatic turn, however, when his attempted bicycle clearance connected with Ethan Ampadu inside the penalty area rather than the ball. Following a recommendation from VAR official Craig Pawson, referee Jarred Gillett consulted the pitchside monitor before awarding Leeds a penalty, which Dominic Calvert-Lewin dispatched with composure.
The drama was far from over. Deep into stoppage time, returning midfielder James Maddison appeared to be hauled down inside the area by Lukas Nmecha, only for Gillett to wave away appeals and point for a corner. VAR opted against recommending a review, having concluded Nmecha had made minimal contact with the ball. The ruling provoked uproar inside the stadium, leaving Spurs to settle for a point that keeps them just two above West Ham United with only two fixtures remaining.
In his post-match press conference, De Zerbi openly challenged the officials’ state of mind during the contest. The Tottenham head coach claimed the referee had repeatedly cautioned him over stepping outside his technical area and suggested that the psychological pressure stemming from the previous day’s VAR furore — surrounding Arsenal’s win over West Ham — may have stripped the officials of their composure. He maintained that the tension permeated the entire match, leaving both players and officials appearing rattled by the climate of scrutiny engulfing recent refereeing decisions.
De Zerbi also weighed in on the contentious call in Arsenal’s victory at the London Stadium, asserting that the foul on goalkeeper David Raya had been clear-cut and should never have generated such widespread debate.
Amid the frustration, the manager drew considerable encouragement from Maddison’s emotionally charged return after more than a year on the sidelines following two serious knee injuries. De Zerbi praised the midfielder’s quality, character and influence on the team, admitting he had not anticipated Maddison featuring for as long as he did. The Spurs boss expressed genuine hope that the England international could yet prove decisive in the club’s bid to avoid relegation.
Leeds counterpart Daniel Farke also welcomed Maddison’s comeback warmly, having previously worked with him at Norwich City. Farke described the playmaker as one of the most naturally talented midfielders in English football, applauding both his creative instincts and his personality. The German added that even after such a prolonged absence, Maddison still produced glimpses of match-changing brilliance through incisive passing, set-piece delivery and clever movement in and around the penalty area.
While Maddison’s return offered a rare bright spot, the broader picture at Spurs remains deeply troubling. The club have now gone the entirety of 2026 without a Premier League home victory and have accumulated fewer home points than any other side in the division this season. Though De Zerbi has overseen an improvement in performances since taking charge, Tottenham continue to falter when the pressure is at its most intense. The draw could quite conceivably have been a defeat had goalkeeper Antonín Kinský not conjured a magnificent late stop to deny Sean Longstaff in the closing moments.
Tottenham must now navigate a formidable trip to Chelsea before welcoming Everton on the final day of the season. West Ham, meanwhile, travel to Newcastle United knowing the relegation battle remains very much unresolved. For the Spurs faithful, anxiety is deepening that another turbulent, controversy-laden campaign could yet culminate in the unthinkable.
