Roberto De Zerbi demands more from Tottenham after Leeds defeat

Tottenham’s winning run is over, and Roberto De Zerbi made clear the defeat at Leeds was about more than one goal. Spurs lost 1-0 after a second half in which Leeds pressed them back, while De Zerbi questioned his team’s mentality, courage and consistency.

The first half was level on attempts, with three efforts each. De Zerbi felt Tottenham had the better of it and said they created “two, three chances to score”. But the match turned after the break: Noah Okafor’s goal on 74 minutes came from Leeds’ 16th attempt.

“Today, in the second half, you can’t imagine to win a game, because we lost every duel,” De Zerbi said. He added that his players had space and time on the ball, but did not show the personality or attitude he expected.

The late chance to rescue a point made the defeat even more stark. In the 90th minute, Jan Paul van Hecke met Andy Robertson’s free-kick, but James Trafford dived to his left and tipped the effort around the post. It was a final opening after Leeds had taken control of the second half.

The result also ended a run of three successive wins and four matches unbeaten. De Zerbi said he was disappointed with how the game unfolded, contrasting the second-half display with Tottenham’s performances against Chelsea and in other recent matches.

“I don’t want to repeat, but now the mental aspect is the most important part in football,” he said. His demand was straightforward: Spurs must bring the same spirit, behaviour and connection into every match, rather than allow their level to drop.

De Zerbi also placed the loss in a wider assessment of the season, saying Tottenham had played badly against Brentford and Leeds, while performing well in other games even when they did not win. That distinction offers little comfort after a second half in which, by his account, the team lost the duels and failed to impose itself.

“It’s a journey, we have to improve for sure,” he said. “Football is like an exam every day and we need to show if we deserve to stay in this club.” For Tottenham, the immediate lesson is clear: De Zerbi wants a response built on character, not just a better result.