FOOTBALL – Brighton & Hove Albion’s stoppage-time 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur yesterday left Spurs stuck in the Premier League relegation zone and kept Wolverhampton Wanderers’ hopes of staying up faintly alive after a 3-0 defeat at Leeds United.
Georginio Rutter’s late equaliser for Brighton denied Tottenham a first league win of 2026, with the north London club stranded in 18th place in the table, and Wolves, marooned in the relegation zone all season, received a stay of execution.
Bournemouth edged Newcastle 2-1 to boost their hopes of European football next season while dealing a significant blow to those of their hosts, and Brentford versus Fulham ended in a scoreless draw.
Spurs’ draw left them winless in 15 league matches with the club staring at a first relegation since 1977.
“I am sorry for the result, for the players because they are suffering too much,” coach Roberto de Zerbi said after his first home game in charge.
Xavi Simons’ stunning strike in the 77th minute seemed set to earn Spurs a long-awaited win before Rutter fired high into the net deep in stoppage time.
Pedro Porro had headed Spurs in front in the 39th minute, but Brighton equalised in first-half stoppage time through a sublime volley from substitute Kaoru Mitoma.
Tottenham have 31 points from 33 games, one behind West Ham United and two adrift of Nottingham Forest, and have played one more game than both teams.
Wolves’ 22nd defeat left them on 17 points from 33 matches, with their eight-year stay in the top flight hanging by a thread and needing Spurs to drop points to delay what has felt inevitable for weeks.
“We know the situation and how difficult it is. We’ve known for a long, long time, but it doesn’t change what we’re doing,” said Wolves manager Rob Edwards.
Leeds, who have not lost a game across all competitions since early March, took control early when James Justin struck home an acrobatic overhead kick from a corner after 18 minutes and Daniel Farke’s side doubled their lead 85 seconds later when Brenden Aaronson squared for Noah Okafor to finish at the far post.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealed the win from the penalty spot in added time after being fouled in the box, lifting Leeds to 15th place and nine points clear of the relegation zone.
At St James’ Park, Bournemouth scored a late winner to secure a deserved victory.
Marcus Tavernier gave Bournemouth the lead and, after Newcastle midfielder William Osula equalised in the 68th minute, Adrien Truffert struck five minutes from time.