Stop the clock. After 118 days and 15 games in the Premier League under three different managers, Tottenham have finally done it. Victory at last, and never did an untidy goal against a relegated team taste so sweet.
Late Winner Secures Vital Three Points
Joao Palhinha was the scorer in the 82nd minute, turning a misdirected shot by Richarlison into the net from close range after a corner fell at the feet of the Brazilian. Back in September, Palhinha had rescued a point for Spurs with a 95th-minute equaliser against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Here at Molineux, the goal was crucial, and the result, preserved by a brilliant late save by Antonin Kinsky from a Joao Gomes free kick, sparked wild celebrations of relief.
The Londoners avoided the ignominy of equalling the club record 16-game winless streak set in 1934-35, a season in which they were relegated and Arsenal won the title. That omen is out of the way. Spurs earned their first victory of 2026 thanks to Joao Palhinha's late winner at Wolves, but it was not enough to climb Tottenham out of the relegation zone, with West Ham winning.
Fight Far From Over
The fight, however, is far from over. With four games to play, Spurs remain in the bottom three. They were passive for parts of the game against a poor team, and the injuries are piling up. First-choice centre forward Dominic Solanke and their main creative force Xavi Simons both were forced off at Molineux. At least they are alive and kicking. De Zerbi said one win could change everything, and now we will see. Next comes a trip to Aston Villa.
There had been signs of life on Sunday against Brighton. Spurs led twice and did not concede the second equaliser until the fifth minute of added time. De Zerbi spent the week trying to tap into the positives and massage egos, and he made only one enforced change, with Djed Spence in to replace injured Destiny Udogie.
Early Pressure and Missed Chances
Spurs opened with purpose and a good tempo, generating forward momentum and forcing mistakes from a Wolves team who had been challenged by boss Rob Edwards to summon a response for the Molineux crowd after two heavy defeats on the road. The home side had to survive an early spell of pressure. First, from a free kick taken by Porro and headed square by Kevin Danso, just beyond the reach of Dominic Solanke, whose claims for a foul were dismissed. Then through Randal Kolo Muani firing wide after a misplaced pass by Andre.
Kolo Muani was one of those targeted by De Zerbi’s morale-boosting efforts, with the Spurs boss peppering him with YouTube footage of his prolific form for Eintracht Frankfurt. The France international has scored only one in the Premier League, however, since signing on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, and this was another underwhelming display, which ended at half time when he was replaced by Mathys Tel.
Injury Woes Continue
Spurs lost their early impetus long before the interval as Wolves settled into a better rhythm, and the contest fell flat before half time, disrupted by stoppages for injuries. Solanke, who missed five months of the season with an ankle injury, was struck down again and limped off after on-pitch treatment in the 40th minute, looking disconsolate as he was replaced by Richarlison. Since his arrival on the last day of March, De Zerbi has lost Mohamed Kudus, Cristian Romero, Udogie, and now Solanke and Simons to injuries.
Yves Bissouma required treatment after a strong challenge by Andre at the end of the first half, which earned a yellow card for the Wolves midfielder. News that Tomas Soucek had given West Ham the lead against Everton filtered through to Molineux early in the second half, and Wolves fans taunted the visitors with a chorus of “Going Down with the Wanderers” just as Simons wriggled free in the penalty area but fired too high under pressure from Santiago Bueno.
It was his last significant contribution before leaving on a stretcher. Simons was hurt in an innocuous incident with Hugo Bueno, the pair of them chasing a ball out of touch for a Wolves goal kick. He seemed to twist the joint on the fringe of the turf, and there was genuine concern from other players who hurried the Spurs physios onto the pitch.
Second Half Drama and Relief
Neither side had a shot on target in the first half on what was a tense occasion at Molineux. Simons though climbed to his feet and appeared determined to continue, but after bouncing up and down on the touchline, collapsed again to the ground. Wolves threatened when the game restarted. Antonin Kinsky raced out to foil Adam Armstrong, and Hugo Bueno swerved a free kick over narrowly before Jose Sa made a fabulous save to frustrate Rodrigo Bentancur.
The Spurs midfielder made excellent contact with a header from a Porro corner and clearly expected to find the net, howling into the sky when Sa kept it out. But the goal did come, turned in by Palhinha to send a wave of relief through the team. De Zerbi bolstered his defence with Radu Dragusin for the final few minutes. They still required the flying save by Kinsky to secure three points, but finally, they have figured out a way to win again.
