{"id":580044,"date":"2026-04-12T16:34:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T16:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/580044\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T16:34:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T16:34:11","slug":"tottenham-player-ratings-vs-sunderland-romero-tears-xavi-wasted-as-de-zerbi-debut-falls-flat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/580044\/","title":{"rendered":"Tottenham player ratings vs Sunderland &#8211; Romero tears, Xavi wasted as De Zerbi debut falls flat"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Here are our Tottenham player ratings after the Premier League defeat against Sunderland in Roberto De Zerbi&#8217;s first game in charge on Sunday<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cristian Romero leaves the pitch in tears during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_GettyImages-2270991484.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Cristian Romero leaves the pitch in tears during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Cristian Romero leaves the pitch in tears during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Tottenham fell to a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland in Roberto De Zerbi&#8217;s first game in charge of the club in the Premier League on Sunday and here are our player ratings for the north London side.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/tottenham-hotspur-fc\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Spurs<\/a> came into the game in big trouble in 18th place in the table after West Ham&#8217;s win at home against Wolves. De Zerbi is the club&#8217;s fourth head coach in nine months and took on a team yet to win a league match in 2026 and visiting Regis Le Bris&#8217; Sunderland side, who have impressed back in the top flight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/antonin-kinsky\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Antonin Kinsky<\/a> came in between the sticks with Guglielmo Vicario in the final stages of recovering from his hernia operation and the 23-year-old Czech stopper was looking to put his 17-minute nightmare at Atletico Madrid behind him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/roberto-de-zerbi\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">De Zerbi<\/a> restored Conor Gallagher to his starting line-up, alongside young midfielders Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, among five changes from Spurs&#8217; last game under Igor Tudor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The visitors thought they had a penalty 20 minutes in when the bright Randal Kolo Muani went down in the box through a combination of challenges from Omar Alderete and Luke O&#8217;Nien. Referee Rob Jones pointed to the spot bit was called over to his monitor by the VAR officials and ruled it out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Both teams had chances in the first half with Brian Brobbey and Dominic Solanke denied by close range saves at different ends of the pitch.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sunderland took the lead in the 61st minute after Nordi Mukiele drifted inside from the right and hits a shot that deflected heavily off Micky van de Ven and sailed into the net with Kinsky wrong-footed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Spurs then lost their captain Cristian Romero after the centre-back was pushed into Kinsky by Brobbey. The skipper left the pitch in tears perhaps fearing for his involvement in Tottenham&#8217;s relegation battle and the World Cup this summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Tottenham could not find a way back into the game despite 12 minutes of added time after the treatment required by Romero and Kinsky.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!<a aria-label=\" Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/COYSFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/a><a aria-label=\"[object Object]Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook pageLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/COYSFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Here are our Spurs player ratings:<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Antonin Kinsky<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Tipped an awkward early corner over his crossbar. Made a big save to deny Brobbey in added time at the end of the first half. Couldn&#8217;t anything about Mukiele&#8217;s heavily deflected goal. Needed plenty of treatment after Romero was pushed into him. Could have been more confident in coming out to claim set pieces but this was a solid enough return after that difficult night in Spain. 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Pedro Porro<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Had an early effort held comfortably by Roefs. Struggled down his flank with Sunderland&#8217;s left-sided duo. Had a powerful shot tipped over in added time. 5<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Cristian Romero<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Got a key touch to stop Brobbey in the Spurs box early on. Picked up a first half yellow card. Came off in tears after being pushed into Kinsky by Brobbey and getting injured. 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Micky van de Ven<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Like Romero picked up a first half booking, his ironically for a shove on Brobbey. Still doesn&#8217;t look in his stride although he did make a good sliding block in the 80th minute. 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Destiny Udogie<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Brought some good balance to the left for Spurs but could have been used more in attack. 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Conor Gallagher<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Plenty of huff and puff with very little to show for it. 5<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Archie Gray<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">At the hub of the midfield but didn&#8217;t get the opportunity to do much with the ball before coming off after the Sunderland goal. 5<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Lucas Bergvall<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Started in the number 10 role and mixed some energetic moments with some loose touches and poor decisions. It was an experiment that didn&#8217;t really work and would have suited Xavi better in this formation. 5<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Randal Kolo Muani<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Went on a couple of early dangerous runs, one leading to a Richarlison chance. Thought he had a penalty 20 minutes in only for VAR to advise the referee otherwise. Was probably Spurs&#8217; most dangerous attacker but that&#8217;s not saying much. Spent plenty of time on the floor throughout the encounter. 5<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Dominic Solanke<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Pulled a good ball across the six-yard box in the opening exchanges that nobody attacked properly. Had a chance saved by Roefs just before half-time from close range. Sent a header at the keeper from Tel&#8217;s cross with 15 minutes to go. 4<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Richarlison<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Hit a tame effort at the keeper after a good early Spurs break. Other than a link-up with Udogie late in the first half, the Brazilian kept messing up the execution of his passes and decisions, including another tame effort after a swift Spurs move in the second half. 4<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Subs<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Pape Matar Sarr<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Didn&#8217;t bring much to proceedings when he came on. 5<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Joao Palhinha<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Tried to inject some energy into the midfield but wasn&#8217;t able to do much with the ball. 5<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mathys Tel<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Should have started the game and was brighter than all of Spurs&#8217; attackers combined during his 30 minutes or so on the pitch, set up a chance for Solanke with a good cross. 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Kevin Danso<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Replaced the emotional Romero and battled away in his usual style with Brobbey. 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Xavi Simons<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Bewilderingly came on with only five minutes of normal time remaining. Tried to make things happen around the box but his team-mates were rarely on the same wavelength. N\/A<\/p>\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n<p>This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/affiliates\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771774633_317_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Here are our Tottenham player ratings after the Premier League defeat against Sunderland in Roberto De Zerbi&#8217;s first&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":580045,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[22936,137460,99,17654,24312],"class_list":{"0":"post-580044","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-cristian-romero","9":"tag-roberto-de-zerbi","10":"tag-sports","11":"tag-spurs","12":"tag-xavi-simons"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/580044","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=580044"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/580044\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/580045"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=580044"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=580044"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=580044"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}