BBC

Simons' influence on Tottenham has been clear.

When he plays, Spurs look sharper and more threatening in the final third. His presence raises the tempo, links midfield to attack and forces opponents to adjust to Spurs rather than the other way around.

His season-ending injury removes one of their most important attacking figures at a pivotal moment.

Results highlight the gap he leaves.

Spurs win a higher percentage of Premier League matches when Simons starts and average more goals - scoring 1.5 per game compared with one when he is not in the starting XI.

Recent displays underline the scale of his contribution.

In the 2-2 draw with Brighton and the 1-0 win over Wolves - their first victory of 2026 - Simons created more chances (four) than any other Spurs player and led the side for shots (six). He was also among the top contributors for touches in the box, ball carries and completed passes.

Those figures show how he drives Spurs forward and sustains pressure in advanced areas. Without that, the risk is Spurs lose a key source of control in matches where small margins could shape their season.

The challenge is heightened by what comes next.

Spurs face Aston Villa and Chelsea - both chasing Champions League places - then meet Leeds, who are not yet safe, before a final-day trip to Everton, where David Moyes may still be pushing for Europe.

Read more about Simons' season-ending injury here

Tottenham have confirmed attacking midfielder Xavi Simons has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

The 23-year-old fell to the ground following a collision with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno on Saturday and, after initially getting to his feet, went down again.

"They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way," Simons, who will have surgery in the coming weeks, wrote in a social media post.

"My season has come to an abrupt end and I'm just trying to process it. Honestly, I'm heartbroken. None of it makes sense.

"All I've wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me... along with the World Cup.

"Representing my country this summer... just gone. It'll take time to find peace with this, but I'll continue to be the best team-mate I can be. I have no doubt that together we'll win this fight.

"I'll walk this path now, guided by faith, with strength, with resilience, with belief, as I count down the days to getting back out there.

"Be patient with me."

How big a blow is Simons' injury for Spurs as they battle relegation? And who do they turn to now, given the extensive injury list in north London?

Manchester United's Champions League hopes were dealt a heavy blow after a 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur to leave the Red Devils four points behind second-placed Chelsea, with two games to play.

MATCH REPORT: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester United

Tottenham had not won in the Premier League since a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on 28 December, and Roberto de Zerbi had underlined the importance of their trip to Molineux.

"I don't want to put pressure but we have to know the situation," he said in the week. "We can't forget the table; we can't forget we need to win.

"What we have done until now is not enough. If we win at Wolves, it's not finished."

It is certainly not finished, but with games running out there was little urgency from Spurs in the first half in Wolverhampton.

Safe passing with little creativity showed their nerves, and eight defeats in 11 in all competitions explained a lack of confidence.

It was something De Zerbi picked up on and he wants to see the victory affect his players' mentality.

"I hope this result can change something in our head," he said. "For the other results, it's already very tough to win a game for us. If we put our heads in the other teams it will be too tough for me.

"The players know what they can do on the pitch, especially this season. We didn't win a game in 2026 but in the Champions League [league phase] they finished fourth.

"They have to be positive and they have to feel full of confidence because they are good and [should not look at] the other results."

It was De Zerbi's first win in his third game as Tottenham boss, having lost to Sunderland and drawn with his former club Brighton.

Tottenham will go to fifth-placed Aston Villa on Sunday, 3 May with De Zerbi confident survival can be achieved.

"I believe we can stay up. If I am here it's because I am positive. The most important thing is the quality of the players and human level of the players," De Zerbi said.

"It was a surprise for me because I didn't know them. When I knew the players better I understood we have the chance to stay up.

"When you watch the game from the TV or the stands you can't understand if they have the right spirit or attitude. I work with them every day and all the players are professional, good guys. They are suffering from the situation.

"We need to stay strong in the head."

Women's Super League LIVE: Updates from three games including Tottenham v Man Utd  BBC

Match of the Day pundits Steph Houghton and Martin Keown believe Tottenham are "really improving" under Roberto de Zerbi, but do they have enough time to turn things around and save their Premier League status?

MATCH REPORT: Palhinha strike gives Tottenham survival hope

Match of the Day - 2025/26 Highlights: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur Highlights  BBC

For a neutral, there are few things more entertaining in football than a dramatic relegation battle, but fans of the teams involved will feel they should come with a health warning.

On Saturday, West Ham and Tottenham fans will have experienced deflation and elation. At various points, Spurs were four points adrift, out of the relegation zone with the Hammers dropping in and then back in themselves as both secured vital wins that now mean other clubs who thought they were safe are once again looking over their shoulders.

While in a sense it is as you were, with West Ham's win against Everton and Tottenham's victory at Wolves meaning Spurs remain two points adrift, the wins will feel significant in their respective bids to stay in the Premier League.

"It is going to be until the end," said West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo of the relegation battle.

"Keep fighting, keep believing."

Joao Palhinha scored the winner for Tottenham at Wolves and afterwards said: "We have four finals [to come]. We need to do our jobs. Hopefully, this win can change things, give us a bit more motivation as well as it's been a long time without victories.

"What we can control right now is doing our job until the end of the season and keeping the club where it belongs, which is the Premier League."

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

Many will have felt Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira was being overly cautious when he said that after watching his side thrash Sunderland 5-0 on Friday to move onto 39 points.

Perhaps his caution is well placed.

It is 15 years since a team was last relegated from the Premier League with 39 points but after Tottenham's win the gap between Forest and the final relegation place is five points with four games remaining.

Leeds likely will have felt they were safe after reaching the "magic" 40 points mark but both they and Forest will now feel they need at least one more win to be able to rest that bit more easily.

"Some people see it as a straight fight between Spurs and West Ham but anything could happen in the remainder of the season," former Manchester City defender Steph Houghton told BBC Sport.

"There's going to be a lot of twists and turns and I think it's going to go right until the final day."

Up Next. 'I love winning when there is massive competition' Video, 00:02:01'I love winning when there is massive competition'

'In his shirt!?' - Pitcher takes 108mph catch with his jersey. Video, 00:01:18'In his shirt!?' - Pitcher takes 108mph catch with his jersey

'I try to stay happy' - Trafford on tricky start to life at Man City. Video, 00:02:01'I try to stay happy' - Trafford on tricky start to life at Man City

'People can say whatever stupid things they want' - Guardiola on celebrations. Video, 00:00:56'People can say whatever stupid things they want' - Guardiola on celebrations

Can Arsenal's season be compared to McIlroy's 2025 Masters? Video, 00:01:25Can Arsenal's season be compared to McIlroy's 2025 Masters?

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Joao Palhinha says his side's victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers is "more than a win" as the Portugese international grabbed an 82nd-minute winner to give Spurs their first Premier League victory since December.

MATCH REPORT: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur