Alan Smith was left stunned by an “unstoppable” Tottenham Hotspur player on Saturday, who enjoyed one of his best games for the club despite Brighton & Hove Albion’s late equaliser.
Rutter strikes late as Tottenham misery continues
Spurs looked set to end a 15-match winless in the top-flight when Xavi Simons produced a sensational 77th-minute strike to spark wild celebrations in N17.
Xavi’s fine effort followed up his assist for Pedro Porro’s opener after 39 minutes, which was cancelled out by Kaoru Mitoma in first-half stoppage-time.
However, scenes of jubilation turned to disbelief when Kevin Danso lost possession in the fifth-minute of time added on and Rutter curled home to ensure the spoils were shared.
It denied De Zerbi’s team a first victory in charge and means Tottenham will stay in the bottom three for another week with only five matches left to prevent a first relegation since 1977.
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The Spurs boss says relegation is “not the problem”.
Reacting to yet another disappointing display from his former club, Michael Dawson told Sky Sports: “They have to take the positives, but it will feel like a loss – when you take the lead at home twice, even the position Spurs are in with no wins in 15, I thought when they went 2-1 up, ‘this is a chance to turn your fortunes around and climb out of the bottom three. Go ahead of West Ham, put the pressure on them.
“And then one mistake from Danso, who switches off in the final moment of the game, you are a centre half, you clear your lines, you do everything to make sure we get out of here with a win this football match. And this will feel like a huge two points dropped.”
Alan Smith blown away by “unstoppable” Simons
As far as Simons was concerned, there was not much more he could have done. The Dutchman, according to Smith on commentary, was “Tottenham’s best player” on the day and looked more devastated than anyone at full-time.
After witnessing what many believed would be the winning goal from Simons, the commentator didn’t hold back, saying: “He’s just delivered a worldie! That’s unstoppable. It’s majestic from Simons.”
Having already assisted Porro’s opening effort, Simons thought he’d saved his best moment for the second half, curling an incredible effort in off the post.
Whilst Brighton’s late equaliser soon stole the headlines, Simons enjoyed the type of performance that those in North London had been waiting for ever since he arrived last summer.
As Tottenham attempt to climb out of the bottom three with five games left to play, the former RB Leipzig man will undoubtedly play a crucial role.
