James Maddison has admitted it is “a bit embarrassing” that Tottenham find themselves fighting relegation on the final day of the season after a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea left their Premier League survival in the balance.
Enzo Fernandez curled a stunning long-range effort into the bottom corner on 18 minutes to give Chelsea the lead, before Andrey Santos slotted home from six yards on 67 minutes to double their advantage.
Richarlison’s close-range finish with 16 minutes remaining gave Spurs hope, but they could not find the equaliser, with Maddison’s stoppage-time free-kick clearing the bar in the final act of the evening.
Tottenham must now avoid defeat against Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, or hope that Leeds United do them a favour against West Ham, to secure their top-flight status.
Maddison, making only his second appearance of the season after a long injury absence, came off the bench with his side already two goals down and left in no doubt about the scale of what is required this weekend.
“We have to give everything for the club, for the badge, for the fans. It’s a bit embarrassing that we’re in this position. We’re going to need our fans, who were unbelievable tonight. I think we have the best away following in the league.”
On his own return from injury and what he can contribute on Sunday, Maddison was honest about the limits of where he is physically.
“It’s an awful time. You want to get on the pitch at 1-0 and affect it. It’s a lot more difficult at 2-0. It was a bit of a dagger as I was coming on. I’ve been out for a long time, so I’m not going to be at my fluid best. I’ve had a massive injury and you have to respect the injury a bit. I’m going to do what I can on Sunday.”
He added: “It’s my job, it’s what I’m paid to do. I haven’t played this season, but when I do, it’s what we have to do. Anyone who has worked in football or has had this injury, it’s not easy to drop back in. It would be catastrophic for my career if something were to happen.”
De Zerbi: ‘We played a very good game – we lost’
Roberto De Zerbi cut a frustrated but defiant figure in his post-match assessment, refusing to accept that the performance warranted the result while acknowledging the moments that cost his side.
Tel struck the post early in the match, and Richarlison had a header held by Sanchez before the hour, but Spurs were undone by Fernandez’s opener and then lost possession in a dangerous area to allow Santos to make it 2-0.
“We created a first chance to score with Tel. It was a big save for Sanchez. Then we concede one great goal because Fernandez, a big player, we could do something better. Then we stay in the game until the second goal, we lost a stupid ball. We conceded a second goal. But before the second goal, we created a big big chance with Richarlison.
“I think we played a very good game. We lost.
“Now is not the time to think too much of this game. We have to prepare for the next game. We play in our stadium with our fans. With our qualities, with character, with pride and courage, we have to play. But I am positive because today we played a good game.”
West Ham play Leeds on the final day. If Spurs fail to win against Everton and West Ham take three points, the gap between the sides could close enough for goal difference to determine who goes down.
