Tottenham plunged deeper into relegation mire on nightmare Roberto De Zerbi start - 5 talking points

Tottenham plunged deeper into relegation mire on nightmare Roberto De Zerbi start - 5 talking pointsSUNDERLAND 1-0 TOTTENHAM: Roberto De Zerbi's first game in charge of Spurs ended in defeat, as a deflected strike from Nordi Mukiele separated the sides at the Stadium of LightCommentsSportNathan Ridley Senior Sports Reporter16:03, 12 Apr 2026Updated 16:07, 12 Apr 2026View 5 ImagesRoberto De Zerbi couldn't make an instant impact(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)New manager, same result. Roberto De Zerbi failed to stop the rot as feeble Tottenham fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Sunderland, leaving them two points from safety.‌Nordi Mukiele's deflected goal made the difference and condemned Spurs to their 17th loss of the season. De Zerbi has been tasked with keeping Tottenham up after they parted ways with Igor Tudor after only five Premier League games, all of which they failed to win.‌Sunday's visit to the North east became even bigger after West Ham thrashed Wolves 4-0 and sent Spurs into the relegation zone for the first time this season. Tottenham fans' eyes were also on events at the City Ground, with relegation rivals Nottingham Forest in action against Aston Villa.‌Here are five talking points from the Stadium of Light.WORLD CUP LEGENDS: The stars who lit up football's greatest tournament - Buy the Special Edition todayREAD MORE: Roberto De Zerbi rips up Igor Tudor and Thomas Frank rule and takes shining to six playersREAD MORE: Tottenham star suffers fresh injury setback in major blow for Roberto De Zerbi1. Sunderland given VAR reprieveAfter spending the first 20 minutes under the cosh, Tottenham were given a penalty against the run of play when Randal Kolo Muani went bundling over inside the Sunderland box. Referee Rob Jones had pointed to the spot but was soon sent to the pitch-side VAR monitor.‌Replays showed that Kolo Muani had gone down without sufficient contact from Omar Alderete before Luke O'Nien went sliding in while th...