Tel injury fear as Okafor’s late goal ends Tottenham’s winning run at Leeds
Tottenham lost 1-0 at Elland Road after Noah Okafor scored in the 79th minute, ending a run of three straight wins. The defeat came on a day dominated by Jayden Bogle's unpunished challenge on Mathys Tel, and Spurs now await news on the forward's injury.
Tottenham’s winning run ended at Elland Road on Saturday 7 November 2026. Leeds won 1-0 through a late strike from substitute Noah Okafor. It was Spurs’ first Premier League defeat in five league games, after wins over Coventry, Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
The first half finished goalless. Okafor’s winner was his only shot of the game. He was booked a minute later and earned a rating of 7.65.
Leeds were the more dangerous side. Inside the box, they had 11 shots to Tottenham’s 5. Spurs completed 444 accurate passes to Leeds’ 247 but rarely turned control into chances. Both sides had 4 shots on target. James Trafford made 4 saves for Leeds and was the highest-rated player on the pitch at 7.69. Jan Paul van Hecke was Tottenham’s best performer on 7.28.
The result was Leeds’ first win in six games. In the five previous meetings between the clubs, Spurs won four and drew one.
Bogle escaped a red card for the challenge on Tel
With just over half an hour played, Bogle caught Tel on the heel with his studs. Referee John Brooks gave only a free-kick. A VAR review found no serious foul play.
Standard Sport reported that the VAR check took four minutes. Spurs now plan to ask Pro Ref, the body overseeing referees, to explain why Bogle avoided a red card. Former Premier League referee Mike Dean told Sky Sports he was completely sure the tackle deserved a red card.
Bogle stayed on for 89 minutes. He had 3 shots and 3 key passes.
De Zerbi remained measured about the officials. Asked whether Brooks should have gone to the pitchside monitor, he expressed great faith in the referee. His concern was Tel. More medical tests will follow, but the early fear is a serious injury that could keep the forward out for a long time.
Tempers were already stretched. Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro and Sandro Tonali were all booked for fouls. De Zerbi was shown a yellow card for dissent in the 51st minute, the same minute as Porro’s caution. Tottenham committed 16 fouls to Leeds’ 11.
Defeat leaves Spurs trailing Leeds in the table
Spurs’ record now reads three wins, three draws and four defeats, with a goal difference of -1. Leeds, on 14 points, sit eighth.
Arsenal lead the table with 27 points from 10 games. Spurs are 15 points off the top.
Tottenham host Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Saturday 21 November, with kick-off confirmed for 3pm. They then travel to Sunderland on Sunday 29 November, kicking off at 2.05pm.
