Tottenham edge closer to drop as De Zerbi suffers loss to Sunderland in first game
Tottenham's initial real opportunity under De Zerbi arrived after only five minutes, yet it echoed the irritations linked to his troubled forerunner, with Randal Kolo Muani laying off for Richarlison in the penalty area, only for the Brazilian to opt for a feeble first-time shot towards the far post.
Following a rather uninspiring opening, Sunderland gradually asserted themselves, led by ex-Arsenal player Granit Xhaka who created the Black Cats' most promising moments, such as his near Olimpico strike from the Swiss midfielder, which Antonin Kinsky deftly diverted over the crossbar.
In general, the Czech goalkeeper appeared transformed compared to the figure who collapsed so badly against Atletico Madrid merely a month earlier.
Particularly, he executed two vital stops to deny Brian Brobbey from point-blank range, even though Tottenham's backline twice overlooked him following Xhaka's free kicks.
Nevertheless, Tottenham carried more frustration into the break, especially after VAR overturned a penalty decision involving Omar Alderete and Luke O'Nien seemingly fouling Muani in the area.
Although Tottenham displayed better attacking cohesion, there lingered a worry that dead-ball situations might prove their downfall as the second period kicked off.
Similar to the opening half, Tottenham started stronger, forcing O'Nien into a desperate block to stop Richarlison converting at the near post during a counter.
The Brazilian also squandered a solid opportunity around the hour, again underpowering a shot to the far corner from a tight angle.
True to Tottenham's pattern, retribution came swiftly, as Nordi Mukiele put Sunderland in front.
He dominated the right side and took his chance after cutting inside, the ball taking a cruel deflection off Micky van de Ven, a bizarre strike that only struggling sides seem to allow.
This could have ignited a comeback, but Sunderland, one of only three sides unbeaten in league matches where they scored first this term entering the weekend, were determined not to squander their first home points in four tries, and Destiny Udogie needed quick reactions twice to avoid a second Sunderland goal, first unsettling Brobbey as he went for a cross, then making an 88th-minute clearance off the line.
Given 11 minutes of stoppage time to grab an equaliser or better, Tottenham could not break through, although Pedro Porro nearly succeeded when his effort was parried over in the seventh added minute, and the whistle confirmed the familiar despair for the Lilywhites.
All told, Tottenham felt revitalised before the interval, but the main impression remains that there is too little time to implement the required changes and dodge relegation for the first time in 49 years.
The upcoming Brighton encounter next weekend now looms larger than any of their European deciders from the last seven years, whereas Sunderland's push for European qualification has gained real momentum.