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Sunderland go viral with tweet posted after keeping Tottenham in the relegation zone

Sunderland go viral with a tweet posted after keeping Tottenham in the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light.

Roberto de Zerbi made five changes to the Spurs side, but ended up losing his first match in charge. after Sunderland went ahead on 61 minutes, Nordi Mukiele’s shot sent beyond keeper Antonin Kinsky via Micky van de Ven’s heavy deflection.

Spurs captain Cristian Romero then went off in tears through injury after being nudged into keeper Antonin Kinsky by Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey.

The result sees Tottenham remain in the bottom three, two points behind West Ham United after they beat bottom club Wolves 4-0 on Friday night.

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Sorry because we didn’t deserve to lose the game. We played a good game, maybe not enough to win but we were unlucky in a few situations in the first half.

“I cannot say anything to players because they gave their best in terms of attitude and spirit. We can play better for sure and you can feel better. We have to work on that. My work is not so much on the pitch because they are good guys and I am sorry for them. I want to give them confidence in what they need.

“Tactically, we played a good first half. With the ball and without the ball. We don’t have confidence to play great football but we did what we have been working on this week. The players can play better if they are feeling confident.”

On keeping spirits high: “I can be a big brother, father, they don’t need a coach. They don’t need to improve football. They can play better and they will play better once we reach a different level of confidence.”

On looking forward to the challenge: “Absolutely, I’m sure if we are able to win a game then everything will change.”

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “It’s the Premier League and we expected a tough opponent in difficult situations. It was a must-win for them and we did well with good energy. It was really important to have our principles and we found a way to score which was still important.”

On Sunderland’s goals: “We want to improve our style of play, we still want to enforce our ideas and we still have room for improvement in the final third. Top 10 is a good aim and we have to be consistent. The most important is the improvement.”

On next season: “We will prepare next season with the way we play now. After three weeks it was a difficult game and I was a bit worried because you never know what can happen. The lads were consistent and for me that is the next layer.”

 Regis le Bris speaking to Sky Sports: “I liked the win most! In this industry you have to win so find a way. New coach for Tottenham and the lads did well because we had to adapt but still be proactive. We didn’t create many chances but lots of opportunities close to the box. Their positional play is unpredictable, we know the ideas and they found one or two passes in the first half but after that it was about key moments.”

On how Spurs played: “It wasn’t so different, small details but at that level this makes a difference. After three defeats at home, it was important to rebuild our fortress. I appreciated the energy of the group.”

On the energy at home: “The lads are ambitious. They want to win. We don’t know what we can achieve. The first goal of staying in the league is done but after that we never know. It is all about standards. This one was tough. Even though Tottenham are struggling in the league, it was still difficult.”

On pushing for Europe: “Not me directly but I know the players are talking behind me! We want to be a top-10 team and we want to achieve that consistency. We still have a lot to do and we want to enjoy this period.”

Jamie O’Hara on Sky Sports News:

“Solanke’s performance today needs to be studied. It’s one of the worst performances I’ve seen.

“It’s remarkable some of the football I’ve seen. De Zerbi must be scratching his head. We don’t deserve anything from the game – Kinsky was the best player!

“They have not done enough. We have offered nothing.

“Absolutely shocking. Didn’t deserve anything from the game. Sunderland took control and created good opportunities. Kinsky made some really good saves but it’s a terrible goal to concede.

“It sums up Spurs this season. They did absolutely nothing, offered nothing.

“Non-existent performances all over the park. Conor Gallagher, shocking. Kolo Muani, shocking. Solanke, shocking. Richarlison, shocking.

“Udogie, shocking. You can’t carry six players when you are fighting relegation! You have to fight and put in a performance.

“Absolutely woeful again. I can’t believe how bad this team have got. De Zerbi is a good manager but he can’t produce miracles; the players have to produce for him.

“Nowhere near good enough. The quality on the pitch is non-existent. These players have fallen so far off from where they think they are as footballers.

“I am not seeing anything from this team that warrants staying in the Premier League. There is nothing that says they can stay up. There isn’t enough fight, quality or passion.

“For the majority of the game, I couldn’t believe what I was watching. These players are nowhere near it.

“He hasn’t got the players. I think you could see a style of play from Tottenham; he knows what he is doing in terms of how he wants them to play.

“A slower build-up and possession-based. You could see what he is trying to do but you have to rely on the players to put in a performance.

“What can you do as a manager? You are waiting to get beaten as they are not producing quality on the pitch. There is not enough quality.

“The players, it’s remarkable, the performances they are putting in at this stage of the season and what is on the line.

“Solanke, £60m Spurs paid for him! He was meant to be Harry Kane’s replacement but it looks like he’s forgotten how to play football.

“I couldn’t believe what I was working. De Zerbi is not a miracle worker.

“They have not won this year. It will be April 18 next weekend and Spurs haven’t won in the Premier League.

“Where are the points coming from? They need seven or eight points. Where are they coming from? I can’t see it.

Chances of staying up? “10 per cent from what I’m watching. The players are not good enough and are not producing.

“Pumped by Nottingham Forest and beaten by Sunderland. West Ham have got fight. Forest picked up another point. Leeds have fight and have energy at home.

“I don’t see anything from Spurs to say they can get out of this. I cannot believe how bad this team have got.”

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka speaking to Sky Sports: “After four weeks of not being at home, it was so important to give the fans what they needed. We knew before the season that we can beat everyone if we stay like this with the hunger and desire and take the three points.”

On facing Spurs with a new manager: “Not the first time we are playing against a team who have changed manager. He [Roberto de Zerbi] has the mentality to win but we knew what we had to do and it was nearly a perfect game.”

On Sunderland pushing for Europe: “Before the season, nobody expected us to be where we are. When I signed it was 2% chance of us staying up and now it is over 100%. Give this football club respect. We stay humble and see what we can do until the end.”

On whether he is surprised about Spurs being in the relegation zone: “It’s not my job to speak about Spurs. I am not a Spurs player. I look after these boys and this football club. We look after ourselves and let’s see where we get to.”

Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele speaking to Sky Sports about his goal: “In football you have to take a chance and that’s what I did. I took the shot and it went in so I am really happy for the performance of the team. The energy is very important after we lost three games in a row. We were at home, it was our tempo and our rules.

“We started very strong and the season is very long. We deserve where we are today because we work hard. Now is a bonus and now we have six games to show where we are. We have to stay humble.”

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