BBC

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."

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka, speaking to Sky Sports about his side's win: "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 also spoke 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."

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."

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Sunderland's performance

What did you make of Tottenham's display?

Sunderland make four changes from the side that won at Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear derby.

Robin Roefs returns in goal in place of Melker Ellborg, while Nordi Mukiele, Reinildo and Enzo Le Fee replace Lutsharel Geetruida, Trai Hume and Chemsidine Talbi.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Alderete, O'Nien, Mandava, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Diarra, Rigg, Brobbey

Subs: Ellborg, Cirkin, Geertruida, Talbi, Mayenda, Isidor, Hume, H Jones, J Jones

Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Udogie, Romero, Van de Ven, Porro, Gray, Bergvall, Gallagher, Kolo Muani, Richarlison, Solanke.

Tottenham will start a Premier League match in the bottom three for the first time since September 2011, when they travelled to Wolves in their third match of the 2011-12 season, having lost their first two fixtures.

They won that game 2-0 to move up to 13th place in the Premier League table.

In fairness, they had played just two games to everyone else's three games as their season-opener against Everton was postponed due to riots in Tottenham.

So, given how early on in the season that result was and the game in hand situation, what's far more relevant is the last time Tottenham were in the relegation zone beyond the first few games of a top-flight season.

The last time Tottenham started a Premier League match in the bottom three more than three games into a season was in January 2009. They started that home game against Portsmouth bottom of the table, but a 1-1 draw - thanks to Jermain Defoe's equaliser - moved them up to 16th place in the table.

It was the game where Harry Redknapp famously criticised Darren Bent for missing a late big chance to clinch all three points for Tottenham, saying: "My missus could've scored that one!"

What's Roberto de Zerbi going to do with Tottenham and how will he set them up?

I've read about when he went in at Brighton and how Lewis Dunk said it took the Seagulls players a while to get up to speed and adapt to his demands.

The whole situation is just odd, with De Zerbi securing a five-year contract despite only hanging around for more than two years at one of his previous eight clubs.

Good luck to him, but this is a difficult place for him to start.

Sunderland's form at the Stadium of Light has dipped a bit since they lost their unbeaten home record against Liverpool in February, but the Black Cats will be buoyant after beating Newcastle last time out.

If Spurs are going to play the type of football we associate with De Zerbi, they will be open, expansive and take risks - but will they have the confidence to do that?

Sunderland are the team that come into this game with belief. They've had a brilliant season and their incentive now must be to stay above Newcastle in the table.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Tottenham Hotspur have a verbal agreement to sign 32-year-old Scotland left-back Andy Robertson when he is released by Liverpool this summer - if the London club avoid relegation. (TalkSport), external

Andy Robertson could finally make his long-awaited return to boyhood club Celtic when he leaves Liverpool on a free transfer this summer. (Football Insider), external

Lawrence Shankland looks increasingly likely to stay at Heart of Midlothian until the end of the 30-year-old Scotland striker's current contract despite long-standing interest in his signature from Rangers. (Football Insider), external

Up Next. The 'unique style' De Zerbi hopes will save Spurs. Video, 00:02:50The 'unique style' De Zerbi hopes will save Spurs

Is Roberto de Zerbi the man to save Spurs? Video, 00:02:20Is Roberto de Zerbi the man to save Spurs?

'I've signed, he hasn't' - Fury only interested in Joshua fight. Video, 00:03:21'I've signed, he hasn't' - Fury only interested in Joshua fight

Phantom v Price - can a Gladiator keep up with a world champion? Video, 00:05:12Phantom v Price - can a Gladiator keep up with a world champion?

This is our 100th fight, it will be one of the best - Wilder. Video, 00:02:57This is our 100th fight, it will be one of the best - Wilder

Post

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (14:00 BST)

Nick Mashiter

BBC Sport football news reporter at the City Ground

Forward Morgan Rogers will make his 100th appearance for Aston Villa since the start of last season.

He is the first English player to do it across the top five leagues in Europe.

During that time he has broken into the England squad and become one of the most coveted players in the Premier League, with growing expectation he will leave Villa this summer.

'We need to get points every match'

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (14:00 BST)

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest boss Victor Pereira speaking ahead of facing Aston Villa: "When we have quality and character, it gives you confidence in your side. We want to be mentally and physically fresh to face Aston Villa at our best level."

On what to expect from Aston Villa: "They have a good team, they have good players and a good manager but it is about us. We need to be mentally ready to face this challenge and get points every match."

On the fans: "They will be very important, they are our 12th player on the pitch. We need to feel their energy and that we are fighting together."

Record in reach for Sunderland?

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Jordan Butler

BBC Sport

Sunderland achieved the magical 40-point mark with victory over Leeds United in early March and, unlike Tottenham, their top-flight status is all but assured for another year.

Regis le Bris's side can now set their sights on setting a new club record for most points in a Premier League season. They require another 16 to surpass the previous highest total set by Peter Reid's men in 1999-2000. Unlikely given there are 21 points remaining, but not impossible.

Sunderland have endured a dismal recent record against Tottenham in the top flight and they are winless in 15 previous meetings (D5, L10) since a 3-1 home victory in April 2010. Four of their five Premier League victories over the north London club have come at the Stadium of Light, including a memorable 1-0 triumph on the opening day of the 2007-08 season.

Michael Chopra scored a later winner for Roy Keane's newly promoted side that day and the win proved to be very important, as the Wearside club finished just three points above the relegation zone, while Spurs placed 11th. The opposite could well be true at the conclusion of 2025-26.

'We know Tottenham will go strong'

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Sunderland

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris on four changes to his starting line-up: "We have a few injuries coming back so it gives us more options. Even if the squad did well against Newcastle it's important to refresh the starting 11 and we have adaptions on the bench."

On if he can take anything from the win over Newcastle last time out: "I hope so. We have shown this season we can compete at that level. In this league nothing is guaranteed, there are always new challenges ahead and this one will be tough. We know Tottenham will go strong with strong ambition. It's important to take it back at home. We did well away and at home we want to rebuild our fortress."

On how he prepared for facing Spurs under De Zerbi: "It's hard to anticipate the shape, the patterns and so on. It's more about us. How do we want to play this game? We will have to be adaptive. We don't have much information about the way they will play."

'We have to forget the past'

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi, speaking to Sky Sports, on Antonin Kinsky starting his first game since the Atletico Madrid defeat: "I believe in Kinsky. He has to stay calm, to believe in himself. He has the right quality to play in the Premier League. He has to forget everything and stay focused on the game. We need him to have a good performance to find a good result."

On making sure being in the bottom three doesn't have a negative impact: "We have to fight, we have to play with the right spirit, we have to help teammates on the pitch, we have to keep in our head our qualities and don't forget who we are. When they play like they can, we can compete against every club in the Premier League. We have to forget the past, just focus on this game and then we see the result and prepare for the last six games."

'De Zerbi ran out of energy and ideas at Marseille'

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Julien Laurens

ESPN journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think there are a few reasons why De Zerbi didn't have the impact he wanted to have at Marseille and it all kind of stopped in February. He had run out of ideas. He had run out of energy. It is a great football city that lives and breathes football, just like him, so it was a great match in the beginning. But when you start not winning it is draining, very, very draining.

He looked more drained each week, he had lots of clashes with the French media, and when that happens down there you are in trouble. And the fans also wanted him gone.

'We have very good players'

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi, speaking to Sky Sports on picking his starting line-up: "It is not so easy to select the first 11. I am lucky, we have a lot of very good players. Just to understand their physical condition, their position and where they have to play. It was very difficult for me."

On the three players starting up front: "They are different players, they play in different positions. Only Solanke is a real striker, we try to win the game. To win the game we have to score and we have to know the way to create chances to score, to shoot, to attack the goal area. I think we can do well.

De Zerbi explains why he has not changed coaching staff much

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi has only brought two coaches with him to the club - first-team fitness coach Marcattilio Marcattilii and senior professional development phase coach Marcello Quinto.

Bruno Saltor, who only arrived in February with Igor Tudor, and Andreas Georgson, who joined in the summer with Thomas Frank, remain the assistant managers.

De Zerbi said: “It's a totally different situation, because we have no time to work like in Brighton or Marseille or another place I've been. I don't want to put confusion inside of the players.

"They have to be with a clear plan of the game and not too much instruction, not too much thinking. They have to run where is the ball. They have to play with courage, with personality and they have to fight. My demand is to show the right spirit I want to see."

'We have got seven massive games'

Crystal Palace v Newcastle (14:00 BST)

Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe speaking before facing Crystal Palace: "We are looking for a positive response to that result (2-1 defeat by Sunderland). A number of changes. We have got a few players coming back to fitness which gives us a huge lift. We need to stamp our authority in the match.

"We have got seven massive games. We have an opportunity to have a strong finish. We've had incredibly demanding season."

On Will Osula: "He is a livewire. He's got real pace, physical strength and height that will help us. He's someone who's desperate to do well. He's been patient. Hopefully he takes this chance."

'We want fresh legs against physical Newcastle'

Crystal Palace v Newcastle (14:00 BST)

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking before facing Newcastle: "We need to have the energy to get the result in front of our fans. It's the most important thing today.

"We had to make changes because Evann Guessand is injured and Jean-Philippe Mateta had to rest after his first start after three months. We want to have fresh legs against a very physical Newcastle side. We almost have a full squad available which is good."

Can Mateta kick on after ending goal drought?

Crystal Palace v Newcastle (14:00 BST)

Crystal Palace

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first goal in over three months in Crystal Palace's 3-0 win against Fiorentina 3-0 in the first leg of their Uefa Conference League quarter-final tie.

Making his first start since a proposed move to AC Milan collapsed, he converted from the penalty spot in the 24th minute before playing a part in Palace's second goal.

Mateta came into the side in place of the suspended Jorgen Strand Larsen after scoring a hat-trick in a behind-closed-doors friendly earlier in the week.

"What a night. For a long time I didn't play, I didn't start. I dreamed about scoring that goal for nights. I did and I am so happy," Mateta told TNT Sports after the game.

Mateta completed a lap of honour applauding Selhurst Park after the game. On whether he has a message for Palace fans, he added: "They know me, I keep working hard. They know I am always here to reach victory and today we did it. Hopefully we can finish the job in Italy."

Glasner and Howe both eye big result

Crystal Palace v Newcastle (14:00 BST)

Ciaran Kelly

BBC Sport reporter at Selhurst Park

It may be tempting to suggest Crystal Palace have an eye on the Conference League today after making five changes. Not if manager Oliver Glasner has anything to do with it.

“A good run of form in the league can also help us in Europe,” he writes in his programme notes just a few days after his side's quarter-final first-leg win against Fiorentina.

“For me, winning is always the best preparation you can do for the next game. Having that confidence and believing in the work you are doing is very powerful.”

Thursday’s 3-0 victory against Fiorentina has certainly breathed new life into Crystal Palace’s season after the Eagles took a huge step towards reaching a first ever major European semi-final.

Among those watching on from afar that night was Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe, who knows all about the challenges of quick turnarounds and fighting on multiple fronts.

Following a 7-2 hammering at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League, last month, Newcastle suffered a damaging Tyne-Wear derby defeat against bitter rivals Sunderland in the top flight just a few days later.

It felt like 13th-placed Newcastle’s season had gone up in smoke in an instant.

Yet Howe needs no reminding there is a lot riding on these final seven games of the season as his side look to restore some pride and finally mount a late push for Europe.

Watkins gets help from Owen

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (14:00 BST)

Ollie Watkins' upturn in form may in part be thanks to Michael Owen.

While speaking to Kelly Sommers for The Football Interview this week, Watkins revealed that he sought the advice of former England striker Owen, who he reached out to via Instagram DMs.

"It's easy to speak to your friends and stuff when they come and watch you, but they've got a biased opinion," Watkins said.

"Someone like Michael Owen, who has played the game... he's hit levels that I've not achieved... he can know how I'm thinking and just see from afar and give you some advice on what to do. I think it's always nice to be in my position and be able to reach out to these people.

"I was actually going through my followers on Instagram. It just said, 'Michael Owen - follow back', so I followed him back and then I messaged him and we just had a chat. And he was just saying he just feels like when I play angry and I'm being a nuisance, that's when I'm at my best. So I just try and bring that to the table as much as possible."

Can Watkins continue resurgence?

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (14:00 BST)

Is Ollie Watkins finally getting back to his usual self?

The Aston Villa striker has fallen well short of the heights he reached last season, and was left out of the England squad during the March international break as a result.

However, he has scored four goals in his past four starts across all competitions.

Watkins scored twice in Villa's 3-1 defeat of Bologna in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final, taking him to nine goals in major European competition, equalling the club record first set by Peter Withe and matched by John McGinn.

After scoring against West Ham just before the international break, a goal today would be just the second instance of Watkins scoring in more than one game in a row.

Forest find timely form

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (14:00 BST)

Jordan Butler

BBC Sport

Europe has provided a welcome distraction from the Premier League for Nottingham Forest for most of this campaign but, under Vitor Pereira, they seem to be finding form at the perfect time.

Forest sit two points above the relegation places with seven games remaining but they have taken four points from the past two league games, including a huge 3-0 victory at relegation rivals Spurs in their last outing.

A creditable draw in Porto on Thursday night with a much-changed side extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to four matches and Pereira seems to be striking the necessary balance between European progression and Premier League survival.

A total of 36 points has been enough to guarantee survival in each of the past nine Premier League seasons and if that trend continues in 2025-26, the Tricky Trees require only four more points from their seven remaining matches.

'This Spurs squad don't know what is going to hit them'

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Julien Laurens

ESPN journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

De Zerbi has a hot temper. He is demanding on the training pitch, if he wants two touch and you take three he is going to lose it. That is the thing I am worried for this Spurs squad, is that they don't know what is going to hit them.

If the result doesn't go their way today, if they draw or lose, I guarantee that the mood at training tomorrow will be very different to the last ten days he has been in charge.

De Zerbi 'wants high risk game of football'

Sunderland v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Chris Sutton

Former Celtic striker on Football Focus

I am a little bit surprised but bearing in mind with how the season has gone for Spurs, maybe Igor Tudor isn’t that firefighter, it hasn’t worked and they got desperate.

What’s really fascinating about this appointment is the style of football that Roberto de Zerbi plays when he coaches clubs. He wants to play a high risk game of football. He talked in his press conference about wanting to play like Ange [Postecoglou], but we all saw what happened to him.

Relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur make the trip north to Sunderland on Sunday. BBC Sport explores some of the key talking points surrounding this fixture.

All eyes will be on the dugout at the Stadium of Light this weekend as Tottenham's latest head coach attempts to save his new club from a disastrous relegation with only seven games of the season remaining.

"I have a big responsibility," admitted Roberto de Zerbi, who has signed a five-year contract with no relegation release clause. "For me, Tottenham, especially in this moment, is maybe the most important challenge in my career."

One of the many necessary steps towards securing safety for the Italian and his coaching staff will be to inject belief in a side lacking confidence and he will need to quickly bring an end to their 13-game winless streak in the league (D5, L8) – the club's worst run for 91 years.

The 46-year-old can perhaps lean on the fact that Spurs have been significantly better away in the Premier League than at home, with 20 of their 30 points coming on the road.

Does De Zerbi need time?

Some of the conversation around the Italian's appointment has centred on his propensity for slow starts, with time apparently needed to convey his methods to a new group of players, something that Spurs don't have. But at his past four clubs he has largely hit the ground running and he was victorious in his first league match with Sassuolo, Shakhtar Donetsk and Marseille.

The obvious anomaly is Brighton where, not only did he take over in mid-season, but he also failed to win any of his opening five in charge. He did, however, accrue eight points from his first seven games on the south coast and if that form were replicated in his current role it would likely ensure Tottenham's top-flight survival.

An average of 36 points has been enough to stay up since the Premier League switched to a 38-game season in 1995-96. The necessary total stands at 33 points across the past 10 seasons. By that yardstick, one win would potentially be enough for De Zerbi, but even with a victory this weekend his work will be far from done.

Record in reach for Sunderland?

Sunderland achieved the magical 40-point mark with victory over Leeds United in early March and, unlike Tottenham, their top-flight status is all but assured for another year.

Regis le Bris's side can now set their sights on setting a new club record for most points in a Premier League season. They require another 16 to surpass the previous highest total set by Peter Reid's men in 1999-2000. Unlikely given there are 21 points remaining, but not impossible.