João Palhinha rose to the occasion in the dying moments of the match, netting the decisive goal that handed Tottenham Hotspur a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. This win marked the North London side's inaugural Premier League success of the 2026 campaign and injected a much‑needed boost of optimism into their fight for survival. The showdown at Molineux unfolded with drama from the first whistle. While Spurs managed to take the lead through the substitute's late strike, the afternoon was also marked by Everton's equaliser against West Ham United, which temporarily lifted Roberto De Zerbi's men out of the bottom three before Callum Wilson's stoppage‑time winner for the Hammers dampened the celebrations.
For Tottenham, those three points carried extra weight, especially after the club suffered injuries to forwards Dominic Solanke and midfielder Xavi Simons during the game. The loss leaves them two points adrift of West Ham but still clinging to the hope of retaining their Premier League status, largely thanks to Palhinha's heroics. **Team line‑ups** Wolves: Sa (6), Lima (6), Doherty (5), S Bueno (6), Toti (5), H Bueno (7), Andre (6), J Gomes (7), R Gomes (6), Mane (6), Armstrong (6). Substitutes: Arokodare (6), Hwang (6), Tchatchoua (5), Moller 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 opened the encounter energetically, yet they struggled to create clear-cut chances in a first half that belied the urgency of their situation. The early injury to Solanke, followed shortly by Simons missing a good opportunity and then leaving the pitch with a knock, added to the nervous atmosphere among the travelling supporters. Wolves grew in confidence after hearing news of West Ham's early goal against Everton, which amplified the pressure on the tentative Tottenham side.
Wolves threatened twice through Adam Armstrong, but the decisive moment arrived from a well‑taken corner by Mathys Tel. Pedro Porro delivered a precise ball to Richarlison, who redirected it toward goal where substitute João Palhinha was lurking. Palhinha calmly slotted the ball home, securing the win for Spurs. The final minutes saw an anxious finish, with Antonin Kinsky diving to tip away João Gomes' free‑kick in the 98th minute.
Wolves made five changes at halftime, introducing former Tottenham defender Matt Doherty as captain and giving Pedro Lima his first Premier League start of the season. Tottenham made a single alteration to the lineup that had drawn with Brighton, bringing Djed Spence on for Destiny Udogie. The victory could prove pivotal in Spurs' history if it serves as the turning point that helps them stay in the top flight. Without these three points, they would be four points behind safety with only four games remaining.
Now, they have a sliver of hope to claw back. **Quotes from the match** *João Palhinha on the impact of the win:* "I hope it changes things. This victory means a lot for me, my teammates, the club and the fans.
It’s not a normal season for us. We all have a responsibility, and with four games left we need to do our jobs.
This win gives us motivation after a long period without victories. Sometimes the details decide games, but we can control our effort until the end. Our aim is to keep the club where it belongs – the Premier League. We’ll give everything until the final whistle." *Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi at the press conference:* "In the first half we played well and controlled the game, even if we didn’t create big chances.
In the second half the pressure built – we hadn’t won a game in 2026, and playing a relegated side added to the tension. I hope this result changes our mentality.
The players showed quality and professionalism; I now see that we have a chance to stay up. We need to improve the second‑half performance and keep the right spirit." *On the injuries:* "Solanke has a muscle problem – the severity is still unknown – while Xavi has a knee issue. We’ll assess them in the next couple of days. Solanke’s situation isn’t critical, but the knee injury is different and we need to monitor it closely." *On Kinsky’s crucial save:* "He deserves the praise; he performed brilliantly today and was vital for the result.
After his time at Madrid, he finally gets a day like this." *Wolves manager Rob Edwards:* "Beating Tottenham isn’t easy; they have quality players and high motivation. It’s been a tough week for us – we were officially relegated and have lost three games in a row.
The players gave everything, matching Spurs’ intensity. We’re at the bottom, but everyone has fought hard.
It will take time to turn things around, and we’re not in a transfer window to make big changes. With four games left, we must keep fighting." The match also featured a flurry of post‑game commentary about the broader context of the relegation battle. Tottenham’s position remains precarious, sitting just two points behind safety and relying on results from other fixtures.
Their next opponent will be crucial, as will the fitness of Solanke and Simons, who could return to bolster the attack. For fans seeking to relive the action, the highlights are available on the Sky Sports app, and the full Premier League table can be consulted for the latest standings. Those without a Sky subscription can still access instant, contract‑free coverage through alternative streaming options.
As the season edges toward its climax, every point becomes vital. Tottenham’s win at Molineux may serve as a catalyst, but the club must maintain focus, manage injuries wisely, and extract maximum effort from the squad in the remaining fixtures. The battle for Premier League survival is far from over, and the next few weeks will determine whether Spurs can defy the odds and remain in England’s top division.
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