The battle for relegation from the Premier League could go down to final moments of the season after Tottenham were held to a 1-1 draw with Leeds.
And the fall-out from Sunday’s controversial VAR call at the end of Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with West Ham continues, with former top official Chris Foy insisting the match officials got the decision right.
Roberto De Zerbi expects Tottenham survival battle to go to the death
Roberto De Zerbi believes Tottenham’s fight for survival will go down to the final day after they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Leeds.
Spurs were set to move four points clear of 18th-placed West Ham after Mathys Tel curled wonderfully into the top corner after 50 minutes, but he went from hero to zero in the 69th minute.
After Tottenham dealt with the initial ball into the box, Tel’s attempted overhead kick clearance struck Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu in the face and Dominic Calvert-Lewin tucked away the resulting spot-kick after a lengthy VAR check.
De Zerbi said: “I think we are in the right way.
“It will be tough until the last minute against Everton, for sure but after the Sunderland game, it was a difficult to imagine ourselves before the last two games to stay up two points of West Ham.”
Former referee Foy backs controversial VAR call
The match officials “worked perfectly together” on the decision to disallow a crucial West Ham goal at the end of Sunday’s Premier League match against Arsenal, former top-flight referee Chris Foy has said.
Referee Chris Kavanagh initially awarded Callum Wilson’s injury-time equaliser but changed his decision after being advised to review it by VAR Darren England.
The officials ruled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was fouled by Pablo Felipe as he attempted to claim a corner. It is one of the most pivotal VAR calls in Premier League history, impacting both the top and bottom of the division.
Foy told the Press Association: “It has generated a lot of debate, a lot of discussion, a lot of noise, but they got the decision right.
“Darren England and Chris Kavanagh worked perfectly together on this. Chris Kavanagh didn’t see the action of Pablo on Raya and, quite clearly, he has got his arm across (Raya’s) chest. He’s got no intention of challenging for the ball, but moreover, he has actually got hold of (Raya’s) arm and doesn’t let go.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly warns Arsenal team-mates to keep feet on ground
Myles Lewis-Skelly insisted Arsenal know “the job is not done” as he promised to treat their last two Premier League matches as finals in a bid to deliver the club’s first title since 2004.
Arsenal took a significant step to claiming the league crown with a deeply controversial 1-0 win against West Ham at the London Stadium after the hosts had a stoppage-time equaliser ruled out by VAR.
The contentious verdict keeps the title race in Arsenal’s hands, with a home match against already-relegated Burnley and a final-day fixture at Conference League finalists Crystal Palace to come.
But Lewis-Skelly said: “We are buzzing, but we know that the job is not done. We have got two more finals left now, and we have to take each game as it comes. The next one is Burnley – and then we go on from there.”
Sergej Jakirovic hails his greatest moment as Tigers reach Wembley
Jubilant Sergej Jakirovic said guiding Hull to the Sky Bet Championship play-off final is his best achievement in his management career.
Bosnian Jakirovic, who led Dinamo Zagreb to a league and cup double and into the Champions League, saw substitutes Mohamed Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt secure a 2-0 win over Millwall in their second leg at The Den.
Hull only sneaked into the play-offs on the final day in sixth place and looked like big underdogs to get through after Friday’s goalless home leg.
Jakirovic said: “It’s great, Millwall are very difficult and demanding – we knew they would be a threat. But we are going to Wembley.
“I had great success as a coach, and this might be number one for me, the best thing that has happened in football in my life.”
What’s on today
Southampton and Middlesbrough meet at St Mary’s for the right to face Hull in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Saints will start as favourites but it is still all to play for after a cagey goalless draw in the first leg at the Riverside Stadium.
