Key Takeaways

• Roberto De Zerbi said he kissed Rodrigo Bentancur in the dressing room because Tottenham needed greater character and determination.
• De Zerbi criticised Bentancur’s actions after the midfielder received a red card for violent conduct following a confrontation with Luke Shaw.
• Tottenham drew 1–1 with Manchester United, with Bryan Mbeumo scoring for United and Dominic Solanke equalising in the 92nd minute.
• Solanke praised Tottenham’s response after going behind and admitted he could have scored more goals.
• The striker also celebrated captaining Tottenham for the first time and expressed hope that the result would mark the beginning of an improvement.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has explained why he kissed Rodrigo Bentancur in the dressing room after his side’s 1–1 Premier League draw with Manchester United, saying he wanted his players to show greater character while making clear that the midfielder’s red-card incident was not the right way to respond.

De Zerbi praised Tottenham’s determination to recover after falling behind but criticised Bentancur’s conduct during a confrontation with Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw. The Uruguayan midfielder was sent off for violent conduct shortly after coming on as a substitute.

The manager’s reaction reflected his belief that Tottenham must develop a stronger mentality, particularly when results do not go their way.

De Zerbi Explains His Reaction to Bentancur’s Red Card

Bentancur entered the game in the 66th minute, replacing Lucas Bergvall. However, his appearance lasted only 12 minutes before the referee dismissed him following his confrontation with Shaw. Bentancur appeared to attempt a headbutt in the defender’s direction.

Despite condemning the incident, De Zerbi said he valued the determination behind his player’s refusal to accept defeat. He stressed that Tottenham needed to respond more forcefully to setbacks, although he acknowledged that Bentancur’s actions crossed the line.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Italian described the performance as evidence of a team beginning to show the collective spirit he wanted.

“Today, we showed we are a team for the first time this season. We play as a team. We suffer, we dominate the game. But in every situation, we were in the game,” he said.

De Zerbi then explained why he had kissed Bentancur in the dressing room, making a distinction between showing character and committing an offence.

“Football is like this. I think this character, I like the situation with Rodrigo [Bentancur] with the red card. We need it in this moment, this situation. Not to bring a red card, but we have not accepted the defeat. We have to not accept conceding a goal.

“We have to react in all ways we can. It’s a bad way; it’s not the right way, but I kissed Bentancur in the dressing room because we need this reaction, this type of reaction with character. Football is character.”

His comments underlined the balance he wants Tottenham to strike: showing resilience and refusing to surrender while avoiding the kind of reaction that can leave the team at a disadvantage.

Solanke’s Late Header Rescues a Point for Tottenham

Tottenham’s response was also evident in the closing stages of the match, when Dominic Solanke scored a stoppage-time equaliser to secure a 1–1 draw.

Manchester United had taken the lead in the 73rd minute through Bryan Mbeumo, who finished an opportunity created by Cunha. Tottenham then found a way back into the contest when Solanke headed home in the 92nd minute.

The late goal gave Tottenham a point and provided further context for De Zerbi’s comments about the team’s determination to keep fighting after conceding.

Solanke praised his teammates for their response, contrasting their performance with occasions when Tottenham had struggled to recover after falling behind.

“The character shown was magnificent. A few times we haven’t reacted in the right way when going a goal down, but today we showed fight and grit,” the striker said.

Solanke Reflects on His Goal and First Time as Captain

Solanke was pleased to score the equaliser but admitted that he could have been more clinical in front of goal.

“I should have had a hat-trick. I wasn’t clinical enough. I know that. But I kept going. I was getting in the right positions to put one away,” he said.

The forward also described the occasion as a memorable personal milestone, having captained Tottenham for the first time.

“It’s my first time being captain for a great club. To score as well. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my career. It’s something to build on. We haven’t been good enough this season. Hopefully this is the start of something good.”

His remarks acknowledged Tottenham’s difficulties while expressing hope that the draw could provide a foundation for better performances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did De Zerbi kiss Bentancur?

De Zerbi said he wanted to recognise the character and determination he believed Tottenham needed, while making clear that Bentancur’s red-card incident was not the right way to react.

Why was Rodrigo Bentancur sent off?

Bentancur was dismissed for violent conduct following a confrontation with Manchester United defender Luke Shaw. He appeared to attempt a headbutt in Shaw’s direction.

What was the score between Tottenham and Manchester United?

The Premier League match ended in a 1–1 draw.

Who scored Tottenham’s equaliser?

Dominic Solanke scored with a header in the 92nd minute.

What did Solanke say after the match?

Solanke praised Tottenham’s fighting spirit, admitted he had missed opportunities to score more goals and described his first time captaining the club as a moment he would remember throughout his career.

A Point to Build On?

For De Zerbi, the draw offered signs of the collective resilience he wants to see from Tottenham, even as Bentancur’s dismissal highlighted the need to channel that determination more responsibly. Solanke’s late equaliser and his comments about the team’s potential provided a hopeful note, but Tottenham will need to turn that spirit into more consistent performances if the result is to become the starting point he hopes it will be.