Late goal hurts Tottenham’s survival hopes, Chelsea lose

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

Tottenham remain rooted inside the relegation zone. Chelsea are stuck outside the Champions League spots.

It was a disappointing yesterday for the two London giants in the Premier League, starting with Tottenham conceding an equaliser deep into stoppage time to draw 2-2 with Brighton.

That kept Spurs, ever-presents in England’s top flight since 1978, in third-to-last place and in grave danger of relegation with five games left.

Chelsea then lost 1-0 at home to Manchester United in a showdown between teams fighting for a place in the top five and therefore Champions League qualification. Matheus Cunha scored the only goal.

While United strengthened their grip on third place, Chelsea stayed in sixth and are looking increasingly unlikely to get back into Europe’s top competition next season. That would be a huge financial blow to Chelsea’s American ownership, which has spent heavily to build an underperforming playing squad.

Tottenham still winless in 2026

Tottenham are still without a win in the Premier League in 2026 – a stretch of 15 matches. That’s a remarkable run for one of the country’s so-called “Big Six” who played in the Champions League this season as the reigning Europa League winners.

Yet Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi still believes his team is capable of winning all of their remaining games and staying up.

“Now it’s difficult to hear my words,” he said, “but, if you watch the players and analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row.

“Not to be arrogant because I am not arrogant, especially now, but we have the quality enough to fight and win games in a row.”

Georginio Rutter’s late equaliser for Brighton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium meant last-place Wolverhampton’s impending relegation was put off for a bit longer. However, Wolves are destined for the drop, with their 3-0 loss at Leeds meaning they are 15 points from safety with five matches remaining.

Xavi Simons looked as if he’d won the game for Tottenham when he cut inside and curled a finish into the top corner in the 77th minute, sparking joyous celebrations by newly hired De Zerbi. The Italian, formerly Brighton’s manager, was taking charge of his second game and first at home.

Earlier, Pedro Porro gave Tottenham the lead with a 39th-minute header, before Kaoru Mitoma volleyed home an equaliser in first-half stoppage time.

Tottenham are a point behind West Ham, who visit Crystal Palace on Monday, and two behind Nottingham Forest, who host Burnley today.

Wolves have been in the Premier League for the past eight seasons but are now on the brink.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted a stoppage-time penalty to round off the win for Leeds after early goals by James Justin – with a bicycle kick – and Noah Okafor.

Leeds are eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Fernandes nears assist record

Man United moved 10 points clear of Chelsea and look certain to qualify for the Champions League after sealing a big win despite not having four centre backs available.

Cunha converted a cut-back from Bruno Fernandes, who now has 18 assists for the campaign – two off the Premier League record held jointly by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.

Chelsea were without Joao Pedro, who was injured in training this week, and lost Estevao to an injury midway through the first half.

Chelsea have lost their last three league games and five of their last six in all competitions, piling the heat on inexperienced manager Liam Rosenior.

“At the moment, any small mistake we are making and the ball ends up in the back of our net,” Rosenior said, “and that has to change.”

Howe under more pressure

Newcastle’s players were jeered after a 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth, the team’s third straight defeat in the Premier League.

It left Newcastle in 14th place in the 20-team top flight with five games remaining of the campaign and manager Eddie Howe under increasing pressure.

Adrien Truffert grabbed the winner in the 85th minute as eighth-place Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run to 13 straight league matches.

Brentford’s fifth straight draw

Brentford failed to boost their unlikely Champions League qualification hopes by drawing a fifth straight game in the Premier League, this time 0-0 at home to Fulham.

Brentford could have climbed above Chelsea and into sixth place with a win but missed a slew of chances. Top scorer Igor Thiago hit the goal frame.