Danny Murphy believes Tottenham must approach their final-day clash against Everton with the right mentality despite knowing a draw could be enough for survival.
Tottenham Hotspur needed just a point against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to confirm their Premier League status for next season. Instead, they suffered a 2-1 defeat, meaning their survival battle now goes down to the final day of the campaign.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side currently sit two points above 18th-placed West Ham and know that avoiding defeat against Everton would secure safety thanks to their superior goal difference.
For having the upper hand in the relegation fight heading into the final day, Tottenham actually have De Zerbi to thank for. When the Italian arrived, Spurs were inside the relegation zone with confidence at rock bottom and very little belief around the club that survival was even possible.
However, within weeks, the former Brighton boss managed to completely shift the mood around the squad, picking up eight valuable points from six matches while also restoring some much-needed belief back into this Tottenham side.
Danny Murphy praises Tottenham mentality under Roberto De Zerbi
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day following Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea, Danny Murphy highlighted the improvement he has seen in Spurs under Roberto De Zerbi.
“They showed some resilience, some fight, they did have better energy, they finished the game strongly and they’ll be disappointed,” Murphy said.
“The overall performance wasn’t too bad from Tottenham, they started the game really well, looked really energetic, that goal set them back a little bit.
“It’s a big one now at the end of season against Everton. The mentality at Tottenham has to be, four or five weeks ago, we were written off.
“If you’d said to Tottenham fans and players it’s going to go down to the last day and you’ve got to get a draw or a win at home to Everton, they would have bitten your hand off.
“That’s the positivity, you’ve got to think of it that way.”
Danny Murphy warns Tottenham against playing for a draw
Even so, the prospect of needing only one point can sometimes become dangerous psychologically. Tottenham already experienced that against Chelsea, where there were moments in the game where the focus appeared to shift towards a draw rather than continuing to attack with confidence.
Instead of helping Spurs, it ultimately contributed to them losing the match. Murphy believes Tottenham cannot afford to make the same mistake against Everton.
“The dilemma you have when you know a draw will suffice is that plays on your mind, and you really can’t let it,” he explained.
“They’re at home against an Everton side who have petered out a little bit at the end of the season, they’ve got to be on the front foot and try to win the game, rather than be cautious and protective of that 0-0.”
That may prove to be the biggest challenge facing Roberto De Zerbi and his players this weekend. Tottenham have won only two home league games all season, which means trying to protect a result rather than chasing one could easily increase the tension inside the stadium.
For Spurs, the clearest route to survival may simply be playing to win rather than playing not to lose.
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