De Zerbi’s rescue plan falls short as Tottenham slip against Sunderland

Tottenham Hotspur travelled to face Sunderland in Matchweek 32 of the Premier League, with the hosts comfortably settled in mid-table and free from pressure. For Spurs, however, the stakes could not have been higher — the North London side are fighting for survival and desperately need points to climb out of the relegation zone.
The game ended in a narrow 0-1 defeat for Tottenham, with the decisive goal coming from Mukiele. Despite the result, it would be harsh to place full blame on Roberto De Zerbi’s side. Spurs produced a spirited performance, registering 11 shots, seven of which were on target.
There was intent, urgency, and glimpses of quality from Tottenham, but ultimately, they lacked the cutting edge needed to turn dominance into points.
2025-26, England - Premier League
Sunderland - Tottenham 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Mukiele, 61 (1:0)
Sunderland: Roefs; Alderete; Reinildo; Mukiele (Hume, 82); O'Nien; Diarra H.; Sadiki; Le Fée; Xhaka; Rigg (Talbi, 82); Brobbey (Isidor W., 90)
Substitution: Hume (from 82); Talbi (from 82); Isidor W. (from 90)
Bench: Ellborg; Cirkin; Geertruida; Jones Har.; Mayenda
Yellow Cards: Brobbey 33; Rigg 75; Hume 90
Tottenham: Kinský; Udogie; Romero C. (Danso, 70); Porro; van de Ven; Gallagher C. (Simons Xavi, 85); Gray (Palhinha, 62); Bergvall (Sarr P., 62); Richarlison (Tel M., 62); Solanke; Kolo Muani
Substitution: Palhinha (from 62); Sarr P. (from 62); Tel M. (from 62); Danso (from 70); Simons Xavi (from 85)
Bench: Austin; Dragusin; Spence D.; Bissouma
Yellow Cards: Romero C. 28; Porro 37; van de Ven 37
