João Palhinha stepped up in the dying minutes to deliver Tottenham Hotspur a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, handing the north London club its inaugural Premier League win of the 2026 campaign. The decisive goal, scored from a well‑taken corner, injected a much‑needed surge of optimism into a side that continues to hover in the relegation zone. The drama unfolded at Molineux Stadium, where Spurs had already endured a tense afternoon.
While Wolves were battling their own survival hopes, the match took on added significance after Everton managed to equalise against West Ham United, briefly lifting Roberto De Zerbi's side out of the drop zone before Callum Wilson's late strike for the Hammers muted the celebration. For Tottenham, the win was doubly important as they suffered injuries to key forwards Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons during the game.
Despite the setback, Tottenham remain just two points adrift of West Ham and cling to a realistic chance of remaining in the top flight, thanks largely to Palhinha's heroics. The Portuguese midfielder, who entered the match as a substitute, was named player of the match for his decisive contribution. **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). Subs: 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). Subs: Richarlison (7), Tel (7), Palhinha (7), Bergvall (6), Dragusin (n/a).
Spurs began the encounter with intent, but the first half was marked by a measured tempo that belied the urgency of their situation. Early nerves were evident when Solanke limped off with a muscular injury and Simons, after missing a clear chance, also required treatment. The absence of these attacking options seemed to sap confidence from the home crowd.
Wolves grew in belief after news of West Ham's early goal against Everton intensified the pressure on Tottenham. Adam Armstrong twice threatened to put the visitors ahead, but the hosts held firm.
The turning point arrived when Mathys Tel won a corner that was expertly delivered by Pedro Porro. Richarlison met the cross, shielding the ball before laying it off to Palhinha, who calmly slotted it past Kinsky to make it 1-0.
The final minutes were tense. Wolves earned a free‑kick in the 98th minute, and Antonin Kinsky had to dive to his right to keep João Gomes' effort out of the net. The goalkeeper's crucial save preserved the win and underscored the thin margin by which Spurs secured the three points.
Both managers made tactical tweaks during the game. Wolves introduced former Tottenham defender Matt Doherty as captain and gave Pedro Lima his first Premier League start of the season.
Tottenham made a single change from the side that drew with Brighton, bringing on Djed Spence in place of Destiny Udogie. The victory could prove pivotal for Tottenham's season. Without it, the club would have found itself four points behind safety with only four matches remaining. Instead, the win offers a lifeline and a psychological boost that could spark a late‑season revival.
**Quotes from the players and coaches** Palhinha reflected on the significance of his goal: "I hope it changes things for us. This win means a lot for the team, the club and the fans. It's not a normal season; we've been under pressure all year.
We all have a responsibility, and now we need to keep working until the end. Our aim is to stay in the Premier League." Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi, speaking after the match, admitted that the first half showed control but the second half was marred by pressure and a loss of shape: "In the first 35 minutes we played well and dominated, but the pressure of not having won a game this year got to us.
I hope this result changes our mindset. The players have the quality, but we need the right spirit and attitude to stay up." De Zerbi also addressed the injuries: "Solanke has a muscular issue, the exact grade we’ll assess in the next few days. Xavi has a knee problem; we’ll have a clearer picture on Monday or Tuesday.
He feels better than when the injury first occurred." He praised goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky for his crucial save: "He deserved this day; he played brilliantly and was vital for the result. After his time at Madrid, he finally gets a day like today." Wolves manager Rob Edwards acknowledged Tottenham's quality and the difficulty of beating them despite Wolves' own struggles: "It's not easy to just turn up and beat Tottenham; they have good players and high motivation. We've been officially relegated, but the lads gave everything. We lost three in a row and sit at the bottom, yet the players showed commitment.
It will take time to turn things around, but we must keep fighting." **Looking ahead** Tottenham now have four games left to secure enough points to avoid the drop. The win against Wolves provides momentum, but the club must address the fitness concerns of Solanke and Simons and find a way to convert chances into goals consistently.
Meanwhile, Wolves will aim to regroup after their relegation confirmation, hoping to finish the season with dignity. For fans wanting to relive the action, the match highlights are available on the Sky Sports app, and a free Premier League highlights reel can be watched online.
The live league table continues to evolve as the season draws to a close, and every point will be crucial for both clubs as they navigate the final stretch of the campaign. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k! Enter for free.