Tottenham conceded a dramatic equaliser against Brighton and remain in the Premier League relegation zone
Pedro Porro collapsed to the turf while Xavi Simons fought back the tears.
Just as Tottenham finally thought the tide had begun to turn, they were crippled by the ultimate stoppage-time sucker punch from Georginio Rutter.
For that reason, it may be time to accept that relegation from the Premier League is probable because Spurs cannot buy a slice of luck, even when they play well.
Buried beneath thousands of white flags and deafening noise pre-kick-off was one uncomfortable question. How could an arena as marvellous as the picturesque Tottenham Hotspur Stadium play host to Championship football next season?
That prospect, with just five matches to go, is starting to become very real. Still, in Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs have a reason to believe.
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There has undeniably been improvement, though they couldn’t get much worse, yet the clock is ticking at a ruthless and aggressive rate.
On paper, Sunderland and Brighton were two winnable fixtures where Spurs had to get the ball rolling and put points on the board.
A single draw feels inadequate. Unfortunately, it’s hard to shake the feeling that the Italian’s arrival is a case of too little, too late.
They have won just twice at home in the Premier League all season and have not done so since December 6. It doesn’t require a mathematician to tell you that is the kind of form that will get you relegated.
And what hurts the most is Tottenham done enough to win the game against Brighton but were undone by two clinical finishes at the end of either half.
It points to mental fragility and a team that does not know how to see out a victory. When Xavi Simons curled home his stunner, ripped off his shirt and flew into the South Stand at full throttle, it felt like Tottenham were finally primed to turn the corner.
You sensed at long last, the stars were finally beginning to align as De Zerbi executed a managerial masterstroke.
The Italian spent much of his press conference on Friday hinting Tottenham’s marquee £51.8million summer signing would not start, indicating a “20 or 30-minute” cameo was far more likely.
When asked what Simons needed to do to finally arrive in the Premier League following a turbulent debut campaign in English football, De Zerbi’s message was simple: “He has to score, he has to make assists and run without the ball. That’s enough.”
The Dutch attacking midfielder carried out De Zerbi’s demands to a tee and emptied the tank, yet incredibly, it still wasn’t enough.
Injured captain Cristian Romero was up on his feet after the 23-year-old’s firecracker while his new boss steamed over to pounce on his bench and Spurs supporters amid the bedlam.
De Zerbi has given Tottenham a flicker of hope and if they are able to play with this level of effort, hunger and enthusiasm in their final five matches, they could be in with a sniff.
But a sniff is not enough for a club of this magnitude and failure to beat Wolves away next Saturday could effectively seal their fate.
Rutter’s goal is the bitterest of pills to swallow and you cannot underestimate the mental toll that strike could have on De Zerbi’s wounded soldiers from here on in. Just when there is finally light at the end of the tunnel, it turns out to be an oncoming train.
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