"I am sorry for the performance in the second half - we didn't play like a top team. We didn't have the right character and physicality in the second half."

There had been a flashpoint in the first half when Jayden Bogle made a late tackle on Spurs' Mathys Tel - an incident that forced the Frenchman off injured.

When quizzed on the referee's decision, specifically the decision to punish Pedro Porro with a yellow card for a similar tackle in the second half, De Zerbi remained coy.

He said: "Pedro Porro's was a duel and an incredible yellow card. The first situation of Mathys Tel I didn't see, I can't say nothing."

And on if the referee should have gone to the monitor: "No. I have big confidence in the referee. Nothing changes if he goes to the monitor. If they didn't take the right decision I don't know. We have to keep the eyes on the performance where can improve."

After an upturn in performances, Spurs returned to their sorry ways at Elland Road, with the Yorkshire outfit thoroughly outplaying the capital club.

Leeds felt they ought to have been given a penalty when the ball appeared to strike Matheus Fernandes' arm, but much like the red card claim, it was waved away by the referee.

The goal itself was a wonderfully worked move, as Leeds cut through the Tottenham backline with ease, prior to Noah Okafor sliding home the eventual winner.

While a major blow for Spurs, given their recent revival, it's a major boost for Leeds' European hopes.

The Whites moved up to eighth in the table ahead of the rest of Saturday's fixtures, two points off fourth-placed Chelsea. Meanwhile, Spurs remain hovering around mid-table with work to do after the international break.