Tottenham Hotspur secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers to claim their first Premier League win of 2026 and keep their survival hopes alive.
Joao Palhinha’s late goal at Molineux proved decisive in a tense and low-quality contest that carried enormous significance at the bottom of the table.
Tottenham arrived in desperate need of a result, having gone months without a league win, and they showed early intent by dominating possession in the opening stages.
However, clear chances were scarce in a subdued first half, with neither side registering a meaningful attempt on target.
The game’s main talking point before the break came when Wolves midfielder Andre avoided a red card for a strong challenge, allowing the hosts to remain at full strength.
Tottenham’s attacking struggles continued after the restart despite a more aggressive approach from Roberto De Zerbi’s side.
Xavi Simons went closest early in the second half but failed to hit the target from a promising position before later leaving the pitch with an injury.
That setback added to Tottenham’s growing list of concerns, with Dominic Solanke also forced off during the match.
Wolves, already relegated, grew into the contest and began to threaten sporadically, with Adam Armstrong causing problems and Joao Gomes testing the visitors late on.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 82nd minute when a corner caused chaos in the Wolves penalty area.
A loose ball fell kindly for Palhinha, who reacted quickest to turn home from close range and give Tottenham a vital lead.
The goal sparked relief among the travelling supporters, who had endured a nervy afternoon as results elsewhere also influenced the relegation picture.
Tottenham were then forced to withstand late pressure, but a crucial stoppage-time save ensured they held on for a long-awaited victory.
The result ends their prolonged winless run and provides a much-needed boost in their battle to avoid relegation.
Despite the win, Tottenham remain in the bottom three and still face a difficult path to safety with only a handful of matches remaining.
For Wolves, the defeat continues a difficult end to the campaign following confirmation of their relegation earlier in the week.
Tottenham will take confidence from finally getting over the line, but the performance underlined that significant improvement is still required if they are to complete their escape.
With momentum finally on their side, however, this result could yet prove a turning point in their fight for Premier League survival.
