Spurs edge closer to safety with 1-1 draw at Leeds, Kinsky's late save crucial
Synopsis
Spurs clung to their relegation lifeline with a gritty 1-1 draw at Leeds, Kinsky's stoppage-time save on the crossbar proving the difference between hope and heartbreak. With two matches left and a two-point cushion, De Zerbi's side faces a nerve-wracking final sprint to survival.
Key Takeaways
Tottenham drew 1-1 with Leeds United on 12 May in a crucial relegation battle.
Mathys Tel opened the scoring with a curled finish in the 50th minute , but was penalised moments later for a high boot on Ethan Ampadu .
Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted the 74th-minute penalty to level the match.
Antonin Kinsky made a vital save, tipping Sean Longstaff's near-post effort onto the crossbar in stoppage time.
Spurs move two points clear of West Ham in the drop zone with two games remaining; Leeds climb to 14th .
Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 with Leeds United on 12 May, a result that moved Spurs two points clear of the relegation zone with two matches remaining in the season. Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky proved decisive with a crucial late save, denying Sean Longstaff at the crossbar in stoppage time as Leeds pressed for a winner.
How the match unfolded
Mathys Tel put Spurs ahead in the 50th minute with a stunning curled finish into the top-right corner. However, the French winger's afternoon turned costly moments later when his high boot caught Ethan Ampadu in the penalty area, resulting in a VAR review and a spot-kick award.
Penalty drama shifts momentum
Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted the 74th-minute penalty with a composed finish, levelling the match. Leeds then dominated the closing stages, with Longstaff's near-post effort in stoppage time tipped onto the crossbar by Kinsky in a moment that could have decided the contest.
Spurs' defensive resilience tested
The opening half saw Spurs survive an early scare when Kinsky denied Joe Rodon's header at the back post. Roberto De Zerbi's side grew into the match and nearly punished a Karl Darlow handling error, though Richarlison and Pedro Porro had their corner-kick efforts blocked. Joao Palhinha also fired over the crossbar from close range.
The relegation picture
Spurs now sit 16th with two games remaining, two points clear of West Ham United in the drop zone. Leeds climbed to 14th with the draw, though their late pressure suggests momentum could shift in the final matches. James Maddison saw a late penalty appeal waved away after going down under Lukas Nmecha's challenge, denying Spurs a chance to snatch victory.
Point of View
Costing a penalty, epitomises De Zerbi's side's inconsistency this season. Leeds, climbing to 14th, have momentum, but Spurs' fixture list and goal difference may yet prove decisive. The relegation scrap has become a game of margins.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Tottenham and Leeds?
Tottenham and Leeds drew 1-1 on 12 May. Mathys Tel scored for Spurs in the 50th minute, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised from a penalty in the 74th minute.
How did Tottenham's position change after the draw?
The draw moved Tottenham two points clear of West Ham United in 18th place, with two games remaining in the season. Spurs now sit in 16th position.
What was Antonin Kinsky's key moment?
Kinsky produced a crucial save in stoppage time, tipping Sean Longstaff's near-post effort onto the crossbar to deny Leeds a potential winner.
Why was a penalty awarded to Leeds?
Mathys Tel's attempted acrobatic clearance caught Ethan Ampadu with a high boot inside the penalty area. A VAR review confirmed the contact, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted the resulting spot-kick in the 74th minute.
