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Cristian Romero leaves pitch crying as relegation-threatened Tottenham lose at Sunderland

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero was in tears as he left the pitch following a clash with team-mate Antonin Kinsky during Sunderland's victory over Spurs, with the match halted for eight minutes

[Cristian Romero leaves the pitch in tears]

Cristian Romero left the pitch in tears(Image: Sky Sports)

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero left the Stadium of Light pitch in tears after a distressing clash with Antonin Kinsky that halted play for eight minutes.

Sunderland welcomed a beleaguered Spurs team to Wearside, with the match kicking off at 2pm. After a closely fought first half, the Black Cats broke the deadlock just over 15 minutes into the second - Nordi Mukiele sprinting towards the Lilywhites' box before letting fly from the edge of the area with force.

The Frenchman's strike took a significant deflection, wrong-footing Kinsky and ending up in the back of the net. Already trailing by a goal, things rapidly deteriorated for Spurs. Brian Brobbey pursued the ball deep into Kinsky's box, while Romero attempted to shield it from the Sunderland forward, reports the Mirror.

[Antonin Kinsky receives treatment]

Antonin Kinsky was able to play on(Image: PA)

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But the Argentine defender's knee appeared to clash with the head of the Spurs goalie as both fell to the turf writhing in pain. Medics rushed over to treat both players, Romero lying face down while Kinsky was on his back, with play suspended for around eight minutes.

Kinsky required heavy bandaging to his head, but he was fine to continue - positive news for new boss Roberto De Zerbi who is already without first choice stopper Guglielmo Vicario after hernia surgery.

But Romero - perhaps fearing that his World Cup 2026 dream this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico might be affected - burst out crying. He hobbled off, replaced by Kevin Danso.

[Cristian Romero exited in tears]

Cristian Romero exited in tears(Image: Getty Images)

Eleven minutes were added on for those Spurs injuries at the end of the contest, but the visitors were unable to find an equaliser.

Italian coach De Zerbi took charge of Spurs after Igor Tudor was sacked following only 44 days in charge but it was the same old story as Tottenham could not end a winless sequence in the Premier League which now stretches to 14 games, with none in 2026.

The result leaves Spurs in the bottom three in 18th, two points behind West Ham United in 17th, after the Hammers' 4-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.

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