João Palhinha stepped up to deliver a decisive late goal for Tottenham Hotspur, clinching their inaugural Premier League victory of the 2026 campaign with a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. The narrow triumph injected a much‑needed boost of optimism into a side fighting to avoid the drop. The match concluded dramatically, even after the substitute had put Spurs ahead. Earlier, Everton had drawn level against West Ham, briefly lifting Roberto De Zerbi’s men out of the relegation zone, only for Callum Wilson’s stoppage‑time winner for the Hammers to dampen the celebrations.
For Tottenham, however, the three points felt especially valuable on a day when they suffered injuries to key forwards Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons. Although they still trail West Ham by two points, the victory keeps their Premier League survival hopes alive, largely thanks to Palhinha’s intervention. **Line‑ups** Wolves: Sa (6), Lima (6), Doherty (5), S Bueno (6), Toti (5), H Bueno (7), André (6), J Gomes (7), R Gomes (6), Mane (6), Armstrong (6). Substitutes: Arokodare (6), Hwang (6), Tchatchoua (5), Møller Wolfe (n/a).
Tottenham: Kinsky (7), Pedro Porro (7), Danso (7), Van de Ven (7), Spence (7), Bissouma (6), Bentancur (7), Gallagher (6), Kolo Muani (6), Simons (6), Solanke (6). Substitutes: Richarlison (7), Tel (7), Palhinha (7), Bergvall (6), Dragusin (n/a). Player of the match: João Palhinha.
Spurs began the encounter energetically but struggled to create clear-cut chances in a first half that unfolded at a tempo seemingly at odds with the urgency of their situation. The early injury to Solanke, followed shortly by Simons missing a good opportunity, heightened the tension among the travelling supporters. Wolves grew increasingly confident after news of West Ham’s early goal against Everton added pressure on the Tottenham side, and the Wolves’ striker Adam Armstrong came close to equalising twice.
The decisive moment arrived from a well‑taken corner, expertly delivered by Mathys Tel. Pedro Porro’s cross found Richarlison, who redirected the ball towards goal where the on‑coming substitute Palhinha was waiting. The defender‑turned‑attacker calmly slotted the ball home, giving Tottenham the lead. The final minutes remained tense, highlighted by Antonín Kinský’s spectacular dive to tip away João Gomes’ 98th‑minute free‑kick, preserving the win.
Wolves made five changes at halftime, including the appointment of former Spurs defender Matt Doherty as captain and the Premier League debut of Pedro Lima. Tottenham altered only one player from the line‑up that had drawn with Brighton, with Djed Spence replacing Destiny Udogie.
The victory could prove pivotal in Spurs’ season, potentially serving as the catalyst needed to reverse their fortunes. Without these three points, Tottenham would have found themselves four points adrift with only four games remaining – a scenario that would have made survival exceedingly unlikely. Instead, the win offers a glimmer of hope and a psychological lift. **Palhinha on the impact of the win** "I don’t know, hopefully it changes things, that’s the reality," Palhinha told reporters.
"This victory means a lot for me, my teammates, the club and the supporters. It’s not a normal season; we’ve been under pressure all year.
We all share responsibility, but with four games left we must do our job. This win should give us extra motivation because it’s been a long time since we’ve celebrated a goal. Sometimes it’s the small details that make a difference. What we can control now is finishing the season strong and keeping the club where it belongs – the Premier League.
We will give everything until the end because staying up means everything to us." **De Zerbi’s post‑match assessment** "In the first half we played well and controlled the game, even if we didn’t create big chances," the manager said. "In the second half the pressure built – we haven’t won a game this year, and playing against a relegated Wolves added to the tension.
I hope this result changes our mindset. The players showed quality and professionalism, and I now see that we have a chance to stay up. Their spirit and attitude are improving, and I work with them daily to build confidence.
The second half was disappointing; we must improve dramatically." He also addressed the injuries: "Solanke has a muscle issue; I’m not sure of the severity, but it shouldn’t be long. Xavi’s knee problem is different – we’ll assess him on Monday or Tuesday.
He feels better than at the start of the injury." Regarding Kinský’s crucial save, De Zerbi added, "He deserves this day; he played excellently, especially today, and his performance was vital for the result. After his time at Madrid, he deserves a day like this." **Wolves manager Rob Edwards’ perspective** Edwards praised Tottenham’s resilience: "It’s not easy to turn up and beat Spurs when they’re in a slump. They have quality players and high motivation.
This week has been challenging for us – we were officially relegated, and the players gave everything to match Tottenham’s intensity. I have nothing negative to say about them. We’ve lost three games in a row, we’re at the bottom, and we’re relegated, but the lads never gave up." He continued, "Everyone gave their all. It will take time to turn things around; we’re not in a transfer window, so we can’t make many changes.
The next four games are crucial, and we must fight. At the end of the match, I looked around and saw no one who gave up. They fought hard, even though we’ve been relegated.
It was a proper football game, not a shambles, and the boys deserve credit for their commitment." **Looking ahead** Tottenham now face a tight schedule with four fixtures remaining. The win over Wolves reduces the gap to safety and provides a psychological lift that could prove decisive.
Maintaining defensive solidity, keeping key players fit, and capitalising on set‑piece opportunities will be essential. For Wolves, the defeat adds to a string of setbacks as they navigate the aftermath of relegation, but the manager’s comments suggest a focus on rebuilding and preparing for life in the Championship.
The match also highlighted the importance of squad depth. Palhinha’s impact as a substitute underscores how bench players can influence outcomes, while injuries to Solanke and Simons remind Spurs of the fine margins that define a survival battle. Fans can catch replays and highlights on Sky Sports, and the Premier League table remains dynamic as the season approaches its climax.
The drama continues, and both clubs will be looking to learn from this encounter as they head toward their respective futures. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250,000 – entry is free.