AliousNordi Mukiele’s deflected effort shortly after the hour mark proved decisive, sealing victory for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Tottenham’s struggles continue, with the side still searching for their first Premier League win of 2026. They now sit two points adrift of safety with only six games left to play.
While Roberto De Zerbi may have taken a few positives from the performance, the result was ultimately what mattered most—and once again, it ended in disappointment.
Speaking to Tottenham News after the match, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett weighed in on the game, accusing players from both sides of using questionable tactics to influence referee Rob Jones.
Hackett criticises attempts to deceive officials
A major flashpoint came in the first half when Spurs were awarded a penalty after Randal Kolo Muani appeared to be brought down by Omar Alderete and Luke O’Nien. However, following a VAR review, referee Rob Jones overturned his original decision.
That moment proved pivotal, as Mukiele went on to score the only goal of the game in the second half.
Although several key decisions—particularly those involving Tottenham—sparked debate, Jones faced a difficult task throughout, with players from both teams frequently going to ground in search of fouls or penalties.
Hackett, a former PGMOL chief, believes stronger action is needed to clamp down on simulation.
He said authorities must act to curb the growing trend of players attempting to deceive referees, arguing that too many are going down too easily in pursuit of free-kicks and penalties—something that damages the league’s image.
According to Hackett, if a referee clearly identifies an attempt to deceive and waves away the appeal, play should be stopped immediately and the offending player booked. He also suggested retrospective punishments should be introduced after matches where simulation is identified.
Spurs’ alarming winless streak continues
Tottenham’s run without a league victory has now stretched to 14 matches—an extraordinary slump for a club of their stature.
It marks the second-longest winless run in their entire league history, trailing only a 16-game stretch between December 1934 and April 1935.
With pressure mounting, next weekend’s clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has become a must-win fixture for Spurs if they are to keep their survival hopes alive.
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