Roberto De Zerbi questioned whether the fallout from the West Ham-Arsenal VAR incident affected match control during Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Leeds
Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Leeds unfolded as a nervy finish to the Premier League run-in and left manager Roberto De Zerbi visibly frustrated on the touchline. The match featured a brilliant opening strike, a conceding of a penalty after a VAR review, and a late incident that might have changed the result but was checked and ultimately dismissed by video assistant referees.
De Zerbi was booked for stepping outside his technical area, a visible sign of his agitation as events developed.
The game also sat against the backdrop of a heated weekend incident in which West Ham had a stoppage-time goal ruled out against Arsenal following a lengthy VAR intervention.
That decision — involving a contested foul on goalkeeper David Raya — generated intense debate and, according to De Zerbi, may have increased the pressure on match officials during Tottenham’s fixture. The manager suggested the atmosphere around recent decisions contributed to a less composed display from both the officials and his players.
How the match unfolded
Tottenham opened the scoring early in the second half when Mathys Tel produced a superbly placed finish from a half-clearance, giving Spurs the lead and briefly lifting the stadium. The joy was short-lived: Tel accidentally committed a dangerous overhead kick in his own box that struck Ethan Ampadu, and after a lengthy review the referee awarded a penalty which was confidently converted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The decision came following pitchside checks and VAR consultation, altering the momentum and the scoreboard for both sides.
As stoppage time stretched to 13 minutes, the closing stages were frantic. Tottenham introduced James Maddison as a late impact substitute as they sought a winning goal that would have given them breathing room above the relegation zone. There were dramatic moments, including a spectacular fingertip save from Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky to deny Sean Longstaff, and a final challenge on Maddison that spurred a penalty appeal which was ultimately dismissed after VAR review.
VAR decisions and De Zerbi’s reaction
Much of the post-match conversation centred on the stoppage-time incident in which Maddison went down under a challenge from Lukas Nmecha. Referee Jarred Gillett initially waved play on, but the situation was reviewed by VAR. The review team concluded that Nmecha had made contact with the ball before significant contact with Maddison, and the initial non-penalty decision was confirmed. The Premier League later explained on its match centre that the call stood because it was deemed the attacker played the ball.
De Zerbi declined to intensify the controversy by replaying the clip at length in public, saying he had not watched the incident back and preferred not to enter the wider polemic. However, he did make clear his belief that officials were not as calm as they needed to be. He said his side also felt the pressure, admitting the team had been hurried in possession and lacked the patience required in a relegation scrap — a recognition that the coaching staff and players share responsibility for the performance.
Referee control and external pressure
The manager argued that the officiating team showed signs of being unsettled, a condition he linked to the high-profile VAR debate from the weekend’s West Ham v Arsenal game. For De Zerbi, that earlier controversy ramped up scrutiny on officials and could have affected their on-field decision-making. Whether viewed as an external influence or as part of the game’s natural intensity, the perception of pressure clearly coloured how De Zerbi assessed the match’s critical moments.
What the Premier League said
In response to questions about the late penalty claim, the Premier League’s match centre offered a straightforward summary: VAR checked the referee’s original decision and concluded that the Leeds player had made contact with the ball, so no penalty was awarded. That explanation aligns with the on-field outcome and underlines how the league is seeking to clarify contentious moments through concise public communication.
Consequences for Spurs’ season
The draw leaves Tottenham in a precarious spot as they near the end of the campaign, with little margin for error in the relegation fight. De Zerbi acknowledged that fighting at the wrong end of the table forces different psychological demands on players compared with chasing top positions. While the manager praised his team’s attitude at times, he also emphasised the need for improved composure and better game management in the remaining fixtures if Spurs are to secure safety without further hair-raising nights.
