TOTTENHAM Hotspur squandered the opportunity to take a significant step towards Premier League safety as they were held to a draw at home by Leeds United.
Mathys Tel put Spurs in position to extend their lead over West Ham to four points with a spectacular 20-yard strike five minutes after the break.
Spurs’ goal hero then turned villain 16 minutes from time with a reckless bicycle kick inside the area that caught Ethan Ampadu in the head.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised from the resulting penalty after a video assistant referee (VAR) review as Spurs failed to make it three league wins in succession after victories at Wolves and Aston Villa.
Richarlison had blazed a glorious chance over the top moments before Leeds were awarded a penalty, a miss that proved costly.
Leeds gained confidence as Spurs’ anxiety grew, Roberto de Zerbi’s side unable to make the breakthrough even with 13 minutes added time.
Indeed, it was Leeds who came closest to a winner deep into stoppage time when Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky brilliantly diverted Sean Longstaff’s shot on to the bar.
The draw result leaves Spurs two points ahead of 18th-placed West Ham with each side having two games left.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke took well-earned acclaim from the travelling fans after another hard-earned point that reflected so well on him and his players.
Farke’s mission for this season was to ensure Leeds stayed in the Premier League – one that has been accomplished with time to spare.
Leeds’ attitude in this 1-1 draw was exemplary, with no sign of easing up even though Spurs’ need was clearly greater than theirs.
Farke’s side contested the game fiercely, and could easily have dropped Spurs further into trouble had keeper Kinsky not made that miraculous stoppage-time save from Longstaff.
The FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea at Wembley was a major disappointment, but overall this season has been a highly-satisfactory one for Farke and Leeds, who can now use the summer to further establish themselves in the Premier League next term.
Leeds host Brighton on Sunday 17 May (15:00 BST) while Spurs travel to Chelsea on Tuesday 19 May (20:15 BST).