Key Takeaways
- João Palhinha tapped in an 82nd-minute winner to end Tottenham’s 16-game winless streak.
- Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons both left the pitch injured, adding to Spurs’ fitness worries.
- West Ham’s late goal against Everton shoved Tottenham back into the relegation places.
Tottenham Hotspur finally tasted victory in 2026, edging relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 at Molineux, yet still face a fight to stay in the Premier League.
Defensive midfielder João Palhinha slid home the only goal after Richarlison’s mishit shot rolled to the back post eight minutes from time. The strike briefly lifted Spurs out of the bottom three, but West Ham’s stoppage-time winner against Everton shoved them back into 18th place, two points adrift with four matches left.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi watched his patched-up side lose two forwards inside the opening hour. Dominic Solanke pulled up clutching his left leg, and summer signing Xavi Simons was stretchered off following a heavy challenge, leaving Tottenham with ten fit senior outfield players.
Despite the crisis, the visitors controlled long spells. Pedro Porro twice went close in the first half, while goalkeeper Antonín Kinsky denied Adam Armstrong with a one-handed stop in added time to protect the precious clean sheet.
Wolves, already condemned to the Championship, showed fight but offered little punch in front of goal. Their best chance fell to Armstrong, who headed over from six yards, before Palvinha’s poacher’s finish quietened the home crowd.
The result keeps Tottenham’s survival hopes alive ahead of a daunting run-in that includes trips to Newcastle and Manchester United.