Tottenham frustrated by draw with Leeds, De Zerbi questions officiating and ‘not calm’ referee

Tottenham’s Roberto De Zerbi said to Sky Sports, per BBC Sport’s live blog: “We play a good game, not great but there was big pressure. We didn’t play calm.

“We wanted to win immediately. In the end, I think we have to fight until the end of the season. Leeds played a good game.

On Leeds: “We hope they play like this against West Ham because it is right like this.

On penalty conceded: “I am sorry for the penalty we conceded because Mathys Tel scored a great goal. He is very young and it is not a problem for me. I am happy for the attitude and mentality.

“We didn’t play well but fighting relegation is like this, you cannot play all games calm. We have to improve and change the habits, fighting relegation is different to fighting for the Champions League.

On Mathys Tel: “He is young and is a talent. I will kiss him and hug him. He doesn’t need too many words. He was sorry for the mistake, it can happen to a young player.

“I don’t know. I think the referee was not in the right condition today. Maybe he was not so calm. Nothing for the result, I didn’t see the situation of Maddison. Yesterday, in West Ham vs Arsenal, it was tough for everyone. Maybe for the referee as well.

On penalty appeal: “I don’t want to speak about the Maddison penalty, I didn’t see it.

“We deserve to stay up and we fight until the end. When you fight relegation, you need to stay strong not with the legs but with the head.”

Leeds boss Daniel Farke said to Sky Sports: “Very proud of you. You don’t just win with your football quality. You have to show steal. Tottenham have been playing well. Once you go 1-0 down early in the second half, it can be very difficult and you can crumble. We stepped up and we deserved this equaliser. We showed great resilience against all the adversity and were unlucky not to win it in the end.

“We could have been a bit braver in the first half. We played too many long balls in the first half but I reminded them at half-time to be braver and stick to the principles. The second half was better in many respects. It is a sign of quality to step up during the game.

“Draw is a better result for us than Tottenham. My players really wanted to win this game. We always play to win wherever we go.

On the 13 minutes added time: “It’s not my place to judge it. I was quite happy because I know we have top fitness levels and we can win it. Two great chances and an unbelievable save.

“We don’t need the points in terms of survival anymore but how can you not be motivated? If you put the shirt on, then you have to be at your very best and we want to finish as high as possible.

On James Maddison penalty appeal: “James was my player when he was pretty young at Norwich. I know how smart he is. He knows what he has to do to win something for his team. Perhaps it was a nit light how he went down.”