Roberto De Zerbi explains the simple reason Tottenham lost to Leeds

Spurs’ winning run ended at Elland Road

Roberto De Zerbi admits Tottenham did not play with the right spirit or character in the second half as they fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Leeds.

Spurs were looking to make it four wins in a row for the first time in more than 1,000 days at Elland Road, but despite a valiant defensive effort, they did not offer any threat in attack and were eventually punished when substitute Noah Okafor struck with just over 10 minutes to play.

De Zerbi’s side competed well in a feisty first half without ever troubling Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford, and felt aggrieved not to have the man advantage after Jayden Bogle escaped punishment for a hefty challenge on Mathys Tel.

Leeds took control after the break, though, and despite De Zerbi turning to his bench to make a triple change in the 65th minute, the visitors were unable to stem the tide of pressure.

Spurs were second best after half-time, and De Zerbi was frank in his assessment of his side’s second-half performance, criticising his players’ spirit, character and physicality.

“I’m sorry for the result, but first of all, I’m sorry for the performance in the second half,” De Zerbi said post-match.

“We didn’t play like a top team, we played without the right spirit, the right character, the right physicality in the duels.”

Spurs had grown into the game after an early wave of Leeds pressure, but were dealt an injury blow shortly before half-time when Tel had to come off after taking a hit to his left Achilles from Bogle.

A four-minute VAR review led to no further action for the Leeds defender, much to the frustration of De Zerbi.

The Spurs boss vented his frustrations on the touchline and will now serve a touchline ban against Ipswich Town after picking up his third yellow card of the season.

On the incident, though, De Zerbi insists he still has full confidence in VAR and said his side could not blame the officials for the result.

“No, I have big confidence in the referee,” De Zerbi said when asked if he would have wanted referee John Brooks to go to the monitor to look at Bogle’s challenge.

“Nothing changes if he goes to watch the clip or not. I think there was the VAR, and if they didn’t take the right decision, I don’t know. But we have confidence, we have to keep our eyes on the performance where we can improve.”