Tottenham Hotspur took a small but potentially crucial step towards retaining its Premier League status after drawing at home with Leeds United 1-1 on Monday.
Spurs, just above the drop zone, moved two points clear of relegation rival West Ham.
Tottenham went ahead in the 50th minute with an assured finish from Mathys Tel.
However, Tels’ foul on Ethan Ampadu with 15 minutes left led to a Leeds penalty that Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted with aplomb.
Spurs takes on Chelsea away and Everton at home in its last two games, while West Ham is away at Newcastle before facing Leeds at home on the final day of the season.
One of the two will join the already relegated Burnley and Wolves in next season’s Championship.
Spurs came into the game on a high after two consecutive victories, but though it dominated the first half in terms of possession and shots on goal it didn’t break the deadlock until five minutes into the second half.
Pedro Porro’s corner kick was cleared to an unmarked Tels, who coolly struck into the far corner of the net from 20 meters out. It was the center forward’s first goal since Jan. 7.
Tels, however, turned villain 24 minutes later when his high foot was adjudged to have made contact with Ethan Ampadu’s head inside the box.
The referee pointed to the spot and Calvert-Lewin, who was denied a first-half penalty after a video review, confidently dispatched the spot kick.
Both sides suffered through an edgy last few moments and a remarkable 15 minutes of added time, but there were no more goals and Spurs will content themselves that their destiny remains in their hands.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
