Nordi Mukiele’s deflected effort shortly after the hour mark proved decisive, securing victory in the Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light. Tottenham’s struggles in 2026 continue, with the side now sitting two points adrift of safety and only six games left to play.
While De Zerbi may have taken a few positives from the performance, the result was ultimately what mattered most—and it delivered yet another setback.
Speaking after the match, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett expressed concern over what he viewed as questionable tactics from both teams.
Hackett accuses players of attempting to mislead referee Rob Jones
Tottenham were initially awarded a penalty in the first half after Randal Kolo Muani appeared to be brought down by Omar Alderete and Luke O’Nien. Referee Rob Jones pointed to the spot, but after a VAR review at the pitchside monitor, he overturned his decision.
That moment proved crucial, as Mukiele later scored the game’s only goal in the second half.
There were several contentious decisions throughout the match, some going against Tottenham, though the referee faced a difficult task overall. Players from both sides frequently went to ground with minimal contact in attempts to win free-kicks or penalties.
Hackett, a former head of PGMOL, believes such actions should not go unpunished.
He stated that authorities must act to curb the growing trend of simulation used to deceive officials. According to him, players are going down too easily in hopes of gaining an advantage, creating a serious challenge for referees and damaging the image of the league. He added that while referees make honest decisions based on what they see, any clear attempt to deceive should result in immediate punishment, including a yellow card. He also suggested post-match reviews, with retrospective action taken where simulation is identified.
Tottenham’s winless run nearing historic lows
Tottenham have now gone 14 Premier League matches without a win—an alarming streak for a club of their stature. It stands as their second-longest run without victory in league history, behind only a 16-game stretch between December 1934 and April 1935.
Their upcoming match against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has now become a must-win encounter.
