Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi, speaking to Sky Sports: “I am sorry for the result, for the players, because they are suffering too much. Today we deserved to win the game against one great Brighton. A big congratulations for their style, their level of players and everything. We couldn’t concede that goal from Rutter.”
On whether there were positives for him to take: “I am positive, but I am proud of my players. They played a fantastic game with character and spirit. We have to be stronger than this result, we have to move on and prepare for the next game and try to win the game at Wolves. If you are strong like today, I think we can compete again.”
On what he said to players after the game: “I said to be strong, to follow me again and again because I want to help them. They can change the mentality because that is the most important part. Now it’s too easy to think negative, but we have to be focused on this performance and work to find the condition to win again. I am positive because I know my players, I know their qualities. I know them like people and I believe in them.”
On his first home game as Spurs boss: “I know we are fighting to stay in the Premier League. A very difficult moment. But we are lucky, every one of us, to work in this club with these fans because it was an incredible atmosphere today. You would think we are fighting for the Champions League, not relegation. Until the end, we will fight in every game and give our best. If we are able to give our best, it’s not finished yet.”
On whether he saw positives: “Today I saw signs, I saw blood, character, qualities, organisation with and without the ball. Everything to reach our target.”
On what needs to be worked on still: “We have to improve a lot of things. The crucial part is to keep this mentality and I told the players to come on Monday afternoon with the same behaviour they showed today. I don’t want to work with sad people, with negative people. They have to believe in myself. If I am here, it’s because I am positive to stay in the Premier League next season.”
Tottenham's Pedro Porro, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “I think after the game we don’t have time for the disappointment. For me and my teammates, the best thing is keep pushing, keep going.
"I think the team today was very good. I think first half was very good for us. The team pressed very well. I think the most important thing now is staying positive."
On Kevin Danso's error: “I think Kevin had a great game today. This is the point now, we don’t have time for mistakes. This is football, it happens. For me today, Kevin was instrumental on the pitch.”
Did you know?
- Tottenham Hotspur have failed to win each of their last 15 Premier League matches (D6 L9), extending their longest ever winless run in the competition.
- Roberto De Zerbi has won just one of his last 12 matches in the Premier League (D3 L8), while he has failed to win either of his opening two games in both of his spells in charge of Premier League sides (D1 L1, also with Brighton in October 2022).
