Roberto De Zerbi saves Spurs but a long summer of soul-searching still lies ahead
Celebrations: Joao Palhinha is mobbed after scoring
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Sam Tabuteau
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Tottenham will be playing Premier League football next season after securing their first home top-flight win since December against Everton.
On an afternoon of high tension on the final day of the campaign, Spurs started on the front foot and deservedly took the lead when Joao Palhinha scrambled the ball over the line after his initial header had rebounded back off the post.
Everton pushed for an equaliser after the break, but even after an agonising 11 minutes of added time, Spurs held on to consign West Ham to a place in the Championship.
Spurs secure survival on their terms
Roberto De Zerbi’s stunned expression following the full-time whistle said it all. Securing Spurs’ Premier League survival is his greatest achievement in management so far.
Taking a club as well-run as Brighton to Europe is one thing. Fabian Hurzeler has proved that such a feat was no miracle.
But taking over a dysfunctional heavyweight like Tottenham with seven games to go and without a league win in 2026, and dragging them to safety, takes guts, confidence and a remarkable amount of composure.
De Zerbi has shown another side to his combustible character to save Spurs from the embarrassment of relegation.
Job done: Roberto De Zerbi said keeping Tottenham up was his greatest achievement in management so far
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His wild celebrations when the full-time whistle blew were more than warranted. He has been holding back emotionally ever since he took charge and deserved his moment as Spurs’ players collapsed around him.
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Spurs will be playing Premier League football next season, but not before a summer of soul-searching.
Pockets of supporter protests after the game are not without their reasons, and those who hold the power in the boardroom have plenty to answer for.
De Zerbi will be chief among those asking the hard questions as he looks to build something sustainable at a club beset by turmoil in the last 12 months.
Palhinha proves man for the big occasion
Joao Palhinha may just be on loan, but even if he does not make his move to Spurs permanent this summer, he has left an indelible mark on the club.
The Portuguese midfielder has consistently popped up with big goals in big moments this season, but there is no doubt that his 43rd-minute strike on Sunday was by far the most important.
Reacting quickest after his initial header had come back off the post, Palhinha careered over to the home bench to celebrate with his team-mates as Spurs took a huge step towards safety.
Just as the nerves had begun to set in, Palhinha stepped up to send the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into pandemonium.
If Palhinha’s winning goal against Wolves was the start of Spurs’ road to recovery, then it was apt that he should be the one to secure their survival.
They say never fall in love with a loan player, but De Zerbi is 100 per cent determined to keep hold of Palhinha. His performances over the last few months have been pivotal to keeping Spurs up.
Making his mark: Joao Palhinha has proved instrumental in Spurs avoiding a disastrous relegation
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Spence gamble pays off
Following Randal Kolo Muani’s ineffective display away at Chelsea on Tuesday, De Zerbi was left with little choice but to make a change at right wing.
Pushing Spence up into attack would not have been his first choice but, given Spurs’ injury issues, the Italian was left with no option.
It was a decision that paid off in the end, though, with Spence confident and direct in attack while also offering support defensively.
Buoyed by his surprise call-up to England’s World Cup squad, Spence played with a point to prove and was at times the furthest forward player for Spurs.
De Zerbi has been keen not to make too many changes to his starting lineup, which is why Kolo Muani has had more than enough opportunities to turn around his wretched form.
Supported by the imperious Pedro Porro, Spence ensured Spurs were able to keep the pressure on Everton in the first half before he dropped into a more defensive role as safety drew closer.
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