Naive Roberto De Zerbi explodes in Tottenham’s audition and fans demand Mauricio Pochettino’s return

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If this was Roberto De Zerbi’s test for the Tottenham job, it was a poor one from the Brighton boss, who arrived in north London determined to put up a fight and ended up losing his side in a devastating 2-1 defeat.

Tottenham manager Christian Stellini was sent off midway through the second half after a brawl between the two benches, galvanizing the hosts and their supporters.

De Zerbi looked furious when Stellini approached him before kick-off, clearly giving the opposite number a piece of his mind as he held his finger towards his face. It seemed an odd reaction to Stellini, who was nothing but a compliment to his compatriot in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

The Brighton manager continued to slack off on the Spurs bench during the match, and with the teams leveled by Heung-min Son and Louis Dunk, tensions boiled over shortly after the visitors had the second goal ruled out by VAR for handball.

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De Zerbi and Stellini were both sent off, although the acting Spurs coach was not involved in the touchline brawl (Spurs’ fitness coach Stefano Bruno was their most obvious opponent).

Tottenham responded better to the loss of their manager, turned up the heat, and Harry Kane fired the winning goal with his 23rd league goal of the season, boosting his first four side’s hopes at the expense of the Seagulls.

De Zerbi’s fine work at the Amex Stadium did not go unnoticed by Spurs as they searched for a permanent successor to Antonio Conte, but his high-mindedness seemed unnecessary and naive on an occasion when his side fancied their chances of upsetting Spurs and he was generally a top.

It is unlikely that his third dismissal of the season and costly defeat have convinced Daniel Levy that the 43-year-old is ready to step up to the ‘Big Six’ job.

Tottenham fans demand Pochettino

Tottenham fans made it clear who they wanted to take over next season, chanting “It’s Magic, you know, Mauricio Pochettino” following the red cards for Stellini and De Zerby, and again later in the second half.

There were also chants of “we want Levy out”, in an ultimately festive atmosphere but he felt feverish and on the verge of collapse at some points during the match.

That result could easily have gone another way, as Brighton saw a credible penalty evaporate in a 1-1 draw when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg faced Caro Mitoma, and two goals disallowed by VAR for handball.

Mitoma was adjudged to have used his arm to take control before hitting the equalizer in the first half, and Danny Welbeck’s goal was disallowed to make it 2-1 for hitting Alexis McAllister’s arm into his path.

Had the results gone the other way, the mood inside the Spurs stadium would have turned very ugly, and Levy is likely to face that kind of intense pressure in each of the last eight games of the season.

If Pochettino’s chants continue, it will be difficult for the president to continue ignoring the out-of-work Argentine, who would like to return to Tottenham.

The son marks a stylistic milestone

Son scored his 100th Premier League goal with his trademark stunning volley, scoring the opening goal from 25 yards after cutting in with his right foot.

It was a reminder of the South Korean’s enduring quality – and why he continues to be chosen by Stellini, despite a difficult season.

Son was also involved in the winning goal, playing in Hojbjerg who squared off to Kane, and worked furiously throughout the match.

We’ve wondered about turning points all season, with no one really coming through, but this was certainly an encouraging display from Son, one that will spark fresh hope that he can finally rediscover some form in Round 2.

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