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Tottenham Analysis: Emotional rollercoaster for Spurs

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Tottenham Analysis: Emotional rollercoaster for Spurs - BBC
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There is fight in this Tottenham side.

In the first half, there was little quality, urgency and courage on show but Spurs managed to grind out their first win under Roberto de Zerbi just as it looked like all was lost.

Nottingham Forest's thumping 5-0 win at Sunderland on Friday piled the pressure on De Zerbi's side, leaving them eight points behind one of their relegation rivals.

West Ham's thrilling finish against Everton - where the Hammers conceded late before Callum Wilson's injury time winner - also put Spurs fans through an emotional rollercoaster.

Before Joao Palhinha prodded in from close range, Spurs looked set to finish the day four points from safety with four games left.

Not long after, following Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's leveller for Everton, they were out of the bottom three – only to drop back in with the late drama at the London Stadium.

There will be more twists in the final four games – Spurs' fixtures against Aston Villa, Leeds, Chelsea and Everton – but Tottenham are clinging on.

They were poor and struggled to break down an already relegated Wolves side and relied on a scrappy goal from a corner but that was all they needed.

Tottenham kept going but they will need more bravery if they are going to save themselves.

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Premier League: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur - Roberto De Zerbi

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Premier League: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur - Roberto De Zerbi - BBC
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi praises his side's "attitude and spirit" but admits his side "didn't play well" in the second half, as they picked up their first Premier League win since December with a 1-0 victory away at Wolves.

MATCH REPORT: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur

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Wolves vs Tottenham: Confirmed team news

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Wolves vs Tottenham: Confirmed team news - BBC
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Wolves boss Rob Edwards makes five changes from the side who lost at Leeds last weekend.

Jose Sa, Pedro Lima, Matt Doherty, Rodrigo Gomes and Mateus Mane start for the hosts who are already relegated - at Molineux.

Dan Bentley, Jackson Tchatchoua, Angel Gomes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde drop to the bench with Ladislav Krejci out injured.

Wolves XI: Sa, Lima, Doherty, S Bueno, Toti, H Bueno, Andre, J Gomes, R Gomes, Mane, Armstrong.

Subs: Bentley, Tchatchoua, Olagunju, Wolfe, A Gomes, Bellegarde, Edozie, Hwang, Arokodare.

Djed Spence returns for Destiny Udogie in Tottenham's only change.

Spurs are 18th and two points behind West Ham - who host Everton this afternoon - and have not won in the Premier League since December.

James Maddison is on the bench again as he closes in on a return following a serious knee injury he suffered in August.

Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Spence, Danso, Van de Ven, Porro, Bissouma, Gallagher, Bentancur, Xavi, Kolo Muani, Solanke.

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Premier League LIVE: Build-up, team news, score & live text updates

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Premier League LIVE: Build-up, team news, score & live text updates - BBC
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Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

Brennan Johnson does really well to beat both Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai before dragging one into the arms of Freddie Woodman.

It's definitely encouraging signs for Palace.

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Wolves 0-0 Spurs

Randal Kolo Muani drives down the right again and sees his low cross deflected behind by Toti, but via a deflection off the Spurs man, so no fourth corner for the visitors, for now.

'Park the bus'

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham

Chris Waddle

Former Newcastle & England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live at Molineux

You can see what Wolves are trying to do. Park the bus, and then try catch them on the counter-attack.

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Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

It's poor from Curtis Jones again. He tries to prod it through for Mo Salah for the second time but it's cut out.

Got to be better than that.

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Wolves 0-0 Spurs

A rare chance for Mateus Mane to stretch his legs for the hosts who manage to break into the Spurs penalty area for the first time, though the visitors are able to clear their lines without alarm.

CLOSE!

West Ham 0-0 Everton

This one has livened up in the last few minutes - and that's a decent chance for Everton!

Dwight McNeil progresses down the left and lifts a cross towards Thierno Barry, who goes for a spectacular overhead kick which doesn't quite come off.

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Wolves 0-0 Spurs

Tottenham's third corner is taken by Xavi Simons all the way back to Pedro Porro 25 yards out but his first-time effort on the volley flies high over the target.

He looks a touch confused, not sure he was expecting that.

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Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

Liverpool fans are raising yellow cards in protest of ticket prices rising over the next three years at Anfield.

They're also making themselves heard with some expletives towards the owners.

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Wolves 0-0 Spurs

Good intent from Spurs, this, as they push forward again, eventually working it to Djed Spence on the left of the box to have a crack with his right foot.

The ball is charged down and then ricochets into ref Anthony Taylor causing a break in play.

Pedro Porro's low cross from the right has subsequently been cut out by an excellent sliding challenge from Matt Doherty at his near post.

CLOSE!

West Ham 0-0 Everton

West Ham are managing to get Crysencio Summerville on the ball now and immediately they have begun to carry a greater threat.

Summerville drives his side upfield and wins a free-kick, but the set-piece magnet that is Tomas Soucek sends his header just over the bar.

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Wolves 0-0 Spurs

Bustling run from Xavi Simons through midfield drags Tottenham up-field after a rare foray past halfway from the hosts.

They have enjoyed more than 60% of possession in these opening stages but are yet to really trouble the Wolves goal.

CLOSE!

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace

Liverpool can't fully clear the Palace corner and Adam Wharton delicately lifts a ball right onto the head of Chris Richards.

He beats Freddie Woodman to the ball but nods over the top.

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West Ham 0-0 Everton

West Ham scramble an Everton set-piece clear. It's not exactly been a high-energy start by the Hammers, despite what's on the line.

But they do threaten for the first time as Crysencio Summerville drives inside from the left and passes to Jarrod Bowen, whose shot is blocked.

'It's all Tottenham'

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham

Chris Waddle

Former Newcastle & England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live at Molineux

What a tight tackle that was from Toti Gomes. If he gets that six inches wrong it's a certain penalty. It is certainly all Tottenham.

'Tottenham haven't shown signs of staying up'

Wolves 0-0 Spurs

Fara Williams

Former England midfielder on Final Score

I would like Tottenham to stay in the Premier League but whether they can do it or not, they haven't shown signs of that this season.

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Wolves 0-0 Spurs

Another corner for the visitors as Randal Kolo Muani skips past Toti down the right flank, but the Wolves man makes a fine recovery tackle in the box.

Xavi Simons' set-piece from the right is well overhit, and Anthony Taylor's whistle goes for jostling in the mixer anyway.

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West Ham 0-0 Everton

Iliman Ndiaye can't get a long ball into the box under control and watches it roll out for a goal-kick. Everton do look the slightly livelier of the two sides so far.

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Premier League LIVE: Arsenal v Newcastle, Liverpool v Palace, Wolves v Spurs, West Ham v Everton, Fulham v Villa

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Premier League LIVE: Arsenal v Newcastle, Liverpool v Palace, Wolves v Spurs, West Ham v Everton, Fulham v Villa - BBC
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There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also watch, listen a follow live text of the FA Cup semi-final between Man City and Southampton here (kick-off 17:15)

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Newcastle", for instance.

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Tottenham: Could Spurs fans take solace from a season in the Championship?

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Tottenham: Could Spurs fans take solace from a season in the Championship? - BBC
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Tottenham Hotspur fans will not want to get relegated. Absolutely not.

Dropping out of the Premier League brings a whole world of uncertainty - from finances to star players leaving and the prospect of not immediately returning. The Championship is an unwieldy beast.

But, and this is a big but, should the worst happen over the next five games and the north London outfit drop into the English second tier for the first time in almost 50 years, supporters will have to look for some solace, reasons to embrace life in a new division.

With that in mind, here are five things fans may be able to look forward to should Spurs fail to beat the drop this term.

OK this one's obvious - there's no VAR.

You can get lost in the wild emotion of celebrating a goal without wondering whether it's going to get chalked off because Lucas Moura was bundled over in the build-up and had the ball smashed against his tricep by an opposition defender.

And in general, the Championship feels like a throwback to simpler footballing times.

It's considered one of the most competitive leagues in the world, you get packed away stands, games that are impossible to predict, more goals and eight extra league matches to enjoy. What's not to love?

Talking of away trips. Bored of doing Manchester and Liverpool twice a season? How about Lincoln for a night out instead - there's a good Popworld, apparently.

It's a historic cathedral city - Tom Hanks stayed there while filming The Da Vinci Code - and very walkable, so would make a decent day trip if you're not one for cheesy 90s anthems.

Enjoy a weekend in Wales? Wrexham, Swansea and Cardiff could all be on the cards, too. And Bristol's just the other side of the Severn Bridge, by far the biggest English city to never have a Premier League team.

It's a good opportunity for the ground-hoppers among you to tick off some new spots.

On the flip side, if you're a Tottenham fan who enjoys keeping it local, then there are currently four clubs in the London region in the Championship.

Charlton, Watford, QPR and Millwall could be the local derbies on offer, although the Lions do have their sights set on the Premier League next term.

But don't discount Stevenage, hanging on to a League One play-off spot at the moment. Much of the town is made up of Tottenham and Arsenal fans anyway, so it could prove a pretty tasty trip down the A1 to the Lamex.

Then there's Tottenham's abundance of promising youngsters - many fans would relish seeing them given a good crack at the Championship.

The club already boast a number of regulars under the age of 21 in Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert, while goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky has just turned 23. Spurs would surely love to keep hold of those.

Meanwhile, homegrown starlet Mikey Moore has impressed on loan at Rangers this season and teenage centre back Luka Vuskovic has been a revelation for Hamburg in the Bundesliga. Will Lankshear is scoring goals in the Championship, too.

And supporters always want to see local academy prospects flourishing.

Next off the "he's one of our own..." production line could be the much-lauded Luca Williams-Barnett, who made his debut earlier this season, while defenders Jun'ai Byfield and James Rowswell and midfielder Callum Olusesi have also featured.

Indeed, my dad and uncle still talk about being wowed by a young Glenn Hoddle when they first started going to White Hart Lane regularly as teenagers during the 1977-78 season, the last campaign Spurs spent in the second division.

The playmaker turned 20 that season and, despite having featured regularly in Spurs' relegation year, his 12 league goals and majestic displays inspired the north London outfit to promotion at the first time of asking.

Maybe a year in the second tier could see a 'new Hoddle' really come of age?

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Premier League relegation battle: Is it between West Ham and Spurs after Forest win?

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Premier League relegation battle: Is it between West Ham and Spurs after Forest win? - BBC
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And then there were two?

Nottingham Forest stunned Sunderland with a sensational 5-0 win on Friday to put some serious distance between themselves and the bottom three.

It moved Vitor Pereira's side on to 39 points, eight clear of 18th-placed Tottenham and six clear of 17th-placed West Ham.

It is 15 years since a team was last relegated from the Premier League with 39 points.

So, with Forest unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, is it time to call the battle to avoid the Premier League's final relegation spot a two-horse race?

Forest boss Pereira was quick to tell BBC Match of the Day that his side's tally "isn't enough" to stay up quite yet.

"We need more points, we need to win more games and we need to keep our mentality," he said.

But is Pereira being needlessly cautious?

Twenty-three teams have been on exactly 39 points after 34 games across Premier League history - and none of them have gone down.

There is a strong argument to be made that Forest, and by extension Leeds on 40 points, already have enough to stay up.

When looking at 38-match seasons the average points tally of the side finishing 18th is 34.5 - so 35 points is, on average, good enough for survival.

And, in even better news for Forest and Leeds fans, over the past five seasons the average points tally for 18th has dropped to 29.6.

Only six teams have ever been relegated from the Premier League with 39 or more points in a 38-game campaign.

The last two were Birmingham and Blackpool, who both went down with 39 in 2010-11.

"Is 39 points enough to keep you up? Yes, but you have to work on the basis that anything is still possible," former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports after Forest's win.

"You are asking Tottenham to win four games... is that going to be possible? We don't know. Back-to-back wins and it all changes."

Mathematically, eight more points ensures next season will be Forest's fifth consecutive campaign in the top flight.

In theory Tottenham could finish on 46 points, but that would require them to win all five of their final five games.

Forest's remaining league matches are against Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester United and Bournemouth.

Tottenham are up against Wolves, Aston Villa, Leeds, Chelsea and Everton.

And West Ham still have to play Everton, Brentford, Arsenal, Newcastle and Leeds.

In six first-half minutes Forest went from 1-0 up to 4-0 up by capitalising on some Sunderland errors and displaying a ruthlessness in front of goal not seen in the first half of the season.

Chris Wood scored for the first time since a double on the opening day, having been sidelined for most of this campaign with a knee injury.

Goalscorer Igor Jesus impressed, former Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson was also on the scoresheet and Morgan Gibbs-White netted again to extend his superb goalscoring run to seven goals in seven games.

Redknapp described it as "the result of the season".

"In the predicament Forest are in, to go to Sunderland and win 5-0, yes Sunderland's home form hasn't been great of late but this is still a difficult place to go, and they had real quality," added Redknapp.

"An unbelievable result. I can only imagine what Nuno Espirito Santo and Roberto de Zerbi are thinking. They are probably watching from behind the sofa thinking, 'we've got it all on now'."

Forest striker Wood added to BBC Match of the Day that survival "is in touching distance".

He said: "I don't think it's done. But it's a big mental one and back-to-back wins puts us in a good position."

According to Opta's supercomputer, it is now 99% likely the final relegation spot will be taken by either Tottenham or West Ham.

Spurs are now 61.01% favourites to go down, while the Hammers have a 37.98% chance of being relegated.

Opta thinks both Leeds and Forest are all but safe - their chances of relegation have narrowed significantly to less than 1%.

So if, indeed, it is down to Tottenham and West Ham - which one will it be? You can predict their remaining results below to see how many points each would end up on...

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Premier League: Brian Brobbey should have been sent off in Sunderland v Tottenham game - KMI panel

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Premier League: Brian Brobbey should have been sent off in Sunderland v Tottenham game - KMI panel - BBC
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Brian Brobbey should have been sent off in Sunderland's recent win against Tottenham, the Premier League's key match incidents (KMI) panel has ruled.

In the 63rd minute of the 12 April fixture, just after Sunderland had taken the lead at the Stadium of Light through Nordi Mukiele, home forward Brobbey chased a ball through the centre with Cristian Romero.

Tottenham defender Romero slowed down to shield the ball into the gloves of goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, but he was nudged in the back by Brobbey.

Romero collided with Kinsky, suffering a season-ending knee injury in the process.

Referee Rob Jones gave a foul against Brobbey, who had already been booked after a first-half altercation with Pedro Porro, but opted not to show a second yellow card and subsequent red.

The KMI panel voted 3:2 that the decision by Jones was a mistake, with the majority view being that "there is a two-handed push which is an unnecessarily reckless action".

Tottenham, who lost the game 1-0, would have played the final 30 minutes against 10 men if Brobbey had been dismissed.

Netherlands international Brobbey received racist abuse on social media following the game, with Sunderland reporting the targeting of their player to the Premier League, social media platforms and the police.

KMI panel statistics show that Jones has been responsible for five of the 12 errors this season regarding second yellow cards not being shown. All of his mistakes should have resulted in red cards.

The other cases listed to involve Jones are Malick Thiaw (Newcastle at Bournemouth), Ruben Dias (Manchester City at Nottingham Forest), Rodri (Manchester City at Tottenham) and Cole Palmer (Chelsea v Leeds United).

Jones has the joint-most errors on second bookings in the past two individual seasons, with three recorded in 2024-25 and two in 2023-24.

Of 42 cases regarded as mistakes across the three campaigns, Jones has made 10 of them.

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