João Palhinha rose to the occasion in the dying minutes, slotting home the decisive goal that handed Tottenham Hotspur a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The win marked the North London side's inaugural Premier League success of the 2026 campaign and injected a much‑needed boost of optimism into a club still teetering near the bottom of the table.
The drama unfolded at Molineux Stadium, where the atmosphere was electric despite the late hour. While Spurs took the lead, the match was set against a backdrop of other pivotal games that night. Everton managed to equalise against West Ham, briefly lifting Roberto De Zerbi's side out of the danger zone, only for Callum Wilson to net a late winner for the Hammers, dampening the celebrations for the latter.
For Tottenham, however, the three points were priceless, especially after they suffered injuries to forwards Dominic Solanke and midfielder Xavi Simons during the encounter. Following the win, Spurs sit just two points behind West Ham United, keeping alive their hope of retaining top‑flight status. The victory, largely credited to Palhinha's late strike, could prove to be a turning point in a season that has felt like a relentless battle for survival. **Team line‑ups** Wolves started with Sa (6), Lima (6), Doherty (5), S.
Bueno (6), Toti (5), H. Bueno (7), Andre (6), J.
Gomes (7), R. Gomes (6), Mane (6) and Armstrong (6). Their substitutes included Arokodare (6), Hwang (6), Tchatchoua (5) and Moller Wolfe (n/a).
Tottenham fielded Kinsky (7), Pedro Porro (7), Danso (7), Van de Ven (7), Spence (7), Bissouma (6), Bentancur (7), Gallagher (6), Kolo Muani (6), Simons (6) and Solanke (6), with Richarlison (7), Tel (7), Palhinha (7), Bergvall (6) and Dragusin (n/a) on the bench. João Palhinha was named player of the match.
Spurs began the game energetically, but the first half was relatively quiet in terms of clear-cut chances, reflecting a tempo that seemed at odds with the urgency of their situation. The injuries to Solanke and Simons – the latter missing a good opportunity shortly after coming on – added to the nervous tension felt by the travelling supporters.
Wolves grew more confident as news of West Ham's early goal against Everton filtered through the stadium, increasing the pressure on the already tentative Tottenham side. Adam Armstrong threatened twice for the home team, but the decisive moment arrived from a well‑taken corner by Mathys Tel. Pedro Porro delivered the ball to Richarlison, whose effort was deflected towards goal where Palhinha, positioned perfectly, nudged it home for the winner.
The match still held a few nail‑biting moments, notably when Antonin Kinsky made a spectacular diving save to deny João Gomes from a free‑kick in the 98th minute, preserving the slim lead. In the second half, Wolves made five changes, with former Spurs defender Matt Doherty taking the captain's armband and Pedro Lima earning his first Premier League start of the season. Tottenham made only a single alteration to the lineup that had faced Brighton, bringing on Djed Spence for Destiny Udogie. The three points could prove historic for Tottenham if they spark a revival that sees the club climb out of the relegation zone.
Without this win, the team would have been four points adrift with only four games remaining – a deficit that would have seemed almost insurmountable. Now, with a glimmer of hope restored, the focus shifts to the remaining fixtures. **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 especially the supporters. It's not a normal season – we've been under pressure all year. We all share responsibility, but we have four games left and we must do our job. I hope this win gives us extra motivation because it's been a long time since we celebrated a win.
Sometimes the details decide games, and now we can control what we do until the end of the season. Our aim is to keep the club where it belongs – the Premier League. We will give everything until the final whistle because staying up means everything to us." **Manager Robert De Zerbi's reflections** De Zerbi praised the first half, noting that Tottenham controlled the game even if they did not create many big chances.
He admitted the second half was affected by the pressure of a winless 2026 and the knowledge that Wolves were already relegated, which may have disrupted the team's rhythm. "I hope this result changes our mindset and mentality," he said.
"The players have shown quality and professionalism. Watching them, you can see the right spirit and attitude. I work with them daily to build confidence and structure.
The second half was disappointing; we need to improve dramatically." Addressing the injuries, De Zerbi explained that Solanke suffered a muscular issue of uncertain severity, while Simons is dealing with a knee problem that will be assessed in the coming days. He expressed optimism that Simons feels better than at the onset of his injury. When asked about Kinsky's crucial save, De Zerbi responded, "He deserves this day. He played brilliantly, especially today, and his contribution was vital for the result.
After his time at Madrid, he deserves a performance like this." **Wolves manager Rob Edwards' perspective** Edwards acknowledged the difficulty of facing a Spurs side that, despite a poor run, still possesses quality and high motivation. He highlighted the challenges Wolves have endured, having been officially relegated and losing three consecutive matches.
"It's not easy to turn up and beat Tottenham when they're struggling, but they have good players and a high work rate," Edwards said. "Our lads gave everything today; none gave up. The season is tough, but we must keep fighting. We have four games left to try and turn things around, even though we can't make many transfers now." He concluded by emphasizing the commitment shown by his players, noting that despite the disappointment of relegation, the team fought with heart and determination.
**Looking ahead** With the Premier League table still fluid, Tottenham's next fixtures will be crucial. The club must capitalize on this momentum, address the injury concerns, and maintain the belief that survival is within reach.
Fans can catch the upcoming matches on Sky Sports or via streaming platforms, and the league's official website offers live tables and highlights. In summary, João Palhinha's late header not only secured Spurs' first win of the year but also reignited a fight for survival that could define the remainder of their 2026 campaign. The battle is far from over, but the victory has provided a much‑needed lifeline and a reminder that, in football, a single moment can shift the fortunes of an entire club.