Tottenham's relegation worries worsen with 1-0 defeat away to Sunderland

Tottenham's struggles in the Premier League intensified with a 1-0 loss to Sunderland on Sunday, marking a disappointing debut for new manager Roberto De Zerbi, who had been appointed just a few weeks ago in a bid to prevent the team's relegation.

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The Italian manager, formerly at the helm of Brighton and Marseille, was unable to inspire his team to victory in his first match, leaving Tottenham mired in the relegation zone, a predicament made all the more dire by the fact that the team has not secured a Premier League win since late December.

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The visitors had begun the match brightly, earning a penalty that was subsequently overturned by VAR, and were also saved by the quick reflexes of goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who blocked a point-blank shot by Brian Brobbey just before half-time.

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Sunderland ultimately took the lead when Nordi Mukiele's shot deflected off Micky van de Ven and into the goal, a stroke of luck that proved decisive in the match, which also saw De Zerbi's team lose captain Cristian Romero to injury.

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Despite bringing on substitutes Joao Palhinha, Pape Matar Sarr, and Mathys Tel, Tottenham were unable to find an equalizer, with Robin Roefs tipping over a powerful Pedro Porro effort in stoppage time to secure the win for Sunderland.

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Tottenham, who had parted ways with interim manager Igor Tudor at the end of the previous month, now find themselves two points behind 17th-placed West Ham, with only six games remaining to avoid a relegation that would be nothing short of catastrophic for the ninth-wealthiest club in the world.

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Nottingham Forest, rivals of Tottenham in the relegation battle, managed to hold Aston Villa to a 1-1 draw at the City Ground, with Forest remaining one point above West Ham in the standings, thanks in part to a smart finish by Neco Williams from outside the box.

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Crystal Palace, meanwhile, came from behind to defeat Newcastle 2-1 at Selhurst Park, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring twice, including a stoppage-time penalty, to seal the victory for the home team.

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Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, will look to capitalize on Arsenal's recent 2-1 loss to Bournemouth and move six points behind the league leaders with a win over inconsistent Chelsea in the late afternoon kick-off.

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Arsenal's loss, which came on the heels of a toothless display, has given City renewed hope in the title chase, with a win at Stamford Bridge and against Arsenal the following week potentially reducing the gap to just three points, with a game in hand.

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Chelsea, for their part, are in need of a victory to close the four-point gap to fifth-placed Liverpool, with the top five teams qualifying for Champions League football next season, adding an extra layer of urgency to the match against City.