João Palhinha’s late goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers brought an end to Tottenham Hotspur’s long wait for a Premier League victory, giving them their first win since December and a vital boost in their fight to avoid relegation.
Meanwhile, drama elsewhere added to the pressure. At the London Stadium, West Ham United claimed a late win over Everton, meaning Spurs stayed in the bottom three despite briefly climbing out after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser. A stoppage-time strike from Callum Wilson ensured West Ham remained above the drop zone.
With only four matches left, Tottenham sit 18th, two points from safety, as they battle to protect a top-flight status they’ve held for nearly five decades.
Head coach Roberto De Zerbi had emphasized the importance of the Wolves clash beforehand, and while the win doesn’t fix everything, he hopes it can trigger a mental shift. Spurs looked tense early on at Molineux, lacking attacking intent as their poor run—eight defeats in 11 games—clearly dented confidence. Still, De Zerbi believes this result could mark a turning point, urging his players to focus on their own performances rather than outside factors. It was his first victory in three matches since taking charge, following a loss to Sunderland and a draw with Brighton & Hove Albion. Attention now turns to a tough trip to Aston Villa, but the Italian remains optimistic about survival, pointing to the squad’s quality and character.
In goal, Antonín Kinský produced a standout display, redeeming himself after a difficult night against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League weeks earlier. Recalled after Guglielmo Vicario underwent hernia surgery, the 23-year-old has started every game under De Zerbi. His defining moment came deep into stoppage time, when he made a superb save to deny João Gomes from a free-kick, securing the win. He had already impressed earlier, rushing out to stop Adam Armstrong following hesitation from Kevin Danso. At full-time, his teammates swarmed him in appreciation of his match-winning contribution.
Palhinha praised his goalkeeper after the game, highlighting that crucial save as the difference, while also stressing the need for strong mentality as the season reaches its climax.
However, the win came at a cost. Dominic Solanke was forced off before halftime with a suspected hamstring issue, while Xavi Simons had to be stretchered off with a knee injury. Simons’ problem appears more serious, while Solanke’s is thought to be less severe. With players like Cristian Romero and Mohammed Kudus already sidelined, De Zerbi will be hoping to avoid further injury setbacks.
Despite missing key players, Spurs showed resilience to hold on—something that has often been lacking this season. The celebrations at the final whistle reflected the significance of the result: not a perfect performance, but potentially a crucial one.
Former Wales international Ashley Williams noted that moments like Kinský’s late save are exactly what struggling teams rely on to survive. After such a long wait for a win, this result could provide the momentum Tottenham need heading into the final stretch.
