Football London

Darren Bent admits he used to watch Arsenal matches when he played for Charlton in the Premier League. The confessed Gunners fan joined Tottenham not long after.

Bent, who began his career with Ipswich Town, became Spurs' club record signing when he arrived at White Hart Lane for £16.5million in 2007. This move came off the back of two solid seasons for Charlton in the first tier of English football.

However, the former Sunderland and Aston Villa striker has come clean, saying that before he signed for Tottenham he would watch their bitter rivals Arsenal when they were in midweek action. Bent did this despite still playing for fellow top-flight side Charlton.

You can listen to brand new episodes of In The Mixer on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

Speaking on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet, Bent said: "Yeah [I was an Arsenal fan when I played]. What people do forget is I used to watch Arsenal in the Champions League midweek while I was at Charlton. Sitting in the crowd, obviously all wrapped up."

Bent continued, touching on how he and his Chelsea-supporting father dealt with his transfer to Tottenham. He said: "Because it's your job, in that environment the fan gets knocked out of you.

"For me I saw it as an opportunity: 'Oh my goodness, I'm going to Tottenham.' Which was another step up. Even my dad, Tottenham is his least favourite club, but he was like, 'You have to go to Tottenham. You have to go. You have to.'

"He would always say, if Chelsea were playing Tottenham or whoever I'm playing against, as long as Chelsea win, if I score two, he's happy. It was a crazy one. But he was just saying, 'You have to go, it's a step up, look at their team. They finished fifth two years in a row.'"

Bent started life as a Spurs player under Martin Jol and Juande Ramos soon took over. During his second season at the club, Harry Redknapp arrived and the striker says the two quickly fell out.

"It weren't great," said Bent. "There's no point in me trying to beat around the bush. Some managers you get along with, some you don't. I think with Harry, when he first came in, I did really well. I think I scored five in his first five."

But in January 2009, Bent missed a gift-wrapped opportunity to score in a match against Portsmouth and Redknapp infamously commented that his wife could have converted it. This upset the striker, who said: "That comment, the 'My wife could've scored that...' It blew up. It was harsh, but that was just Harry being Harry and he thought it was quite funny.

"After a while, there was a period where I knew he wanted to sign other strikers and that's where the relationship started to go completely different directions. Because even though I'm scoring goals he [wants me not to score]. One hundred per cent.

"You feel it. I think he bought back [Jermain] Defoe and wanted Crouchy [Peter Crouch] and I knew that he wanted Crouchy. I remember we played Fulham and I was in really good form.

"I started against them and he took me off and I just knew I wasn't starting next week. He's waiting for me to have an off game and I'm out and I was out. From then on, I was out. That was it. I was done. From there, our relationship just went completely opposite directions. But we're fine now, and we get on now."

Here's every single word the Tottenham Hotspur head coach said after the victory against Everton which kept the club in the Premier League

Roberto De Zerbi was in a mischievous but happy mood during his final press conference of the season after keeping Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League with their 1-0 win against Everton.

Spurs scored the crucial goal before the break. Mathys Tel's deep corner was headed against the right-hand post by Joao Palhinha and the ball fell back for the Portuguese midfielder and he fired it towards goal. It was stopped by an Everton foot but just as it had crossed over the line, although Kevin Danso fired it in anyway afterwards.

The second half was more nervy for the hosts with little in the way of clear cut chances for either side until a last-gasp flying save from Antonin Kinsky to tip away Tyrique George's curling effort before the final whistle made it clear that the club will compete once again in the Premier League next season.

Our Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold was among those in front of De Zerbi after the game. Here's the full transcript from the press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

(De Zerbi comes in looking for a reporter)

Where is he? The one who is always there at the Tottenham training ground, he was negative and I'm positive. But I want to hug him. Not to fight. I have no energy to fight anymore.

You always said what a big club this was, but you took over at a very difficult moment. Describe your emotions and your feelings?

No, I'm happy but I enjoyed today. At the beginning of the day until now. Football is nice because if you give your best, maybe today. Maybe tomorrow. after tomorrow, you receive back everything from football. It's incredible. And we deserve this day. We deserve this game. We deserve this win. We deserve everything of today.

I think we deserve to stay up, because we made 11 points in seven games and we deserved more. My players played a fantastic game, as a spirit, as a behaviour, as an attitude, but also as a quality of the play. Especially in the first half. They played very well and I'm proud. Now from starting...

(Reporter he had asked for walks in and he smiles when he sees him)

Are you happy?

Yes, well done. Congratulations. Well played.

(Back to press conference) And from tonight we have to start to organise and to build a new team. I don't think we have now to change too many players. We have 10, 11, 12 players good enough to stay. Good enough. Like players. Especially like people. And then we have to complete the squad with the first level of players.

First level of players because we suffered too much. I suffered a lot but I think the fans, the club, the board, the players. They suffered too much. We are Tottenham and we can't suffer like this until the last second of the last game to stay up.

And I will be stronger. I will be stronger. I don't want to decide alone because football is a group - sporting director, scouting, CEO - but my target now is finished to stay up. My target is to start the pre-season with the team I have in my dream.

Can I get your reaction to the fans and the atmosphere around the coach and inside the stadium?

Listen, they told me, I don't know which newspaper spoke about the pressure of the fans, the problem was the fans in Tottenham. I don't want nothing from the fans. I just want to be clear, to be honest. I'm always honest and sincere. I think in three [home] games they were fantastic, the fans.

The stadium, incredible stadium. Before the game when we arrived with the bus it was a big, big emotion and I'm happy for them.

Next season the target is to make them happier than this season for sure. I would like to compete, I don't know for what, but stop suffering like this.

Antonin Kinsky, with his whole journey since you've been here and another big save, what can you say about him and how much has he put himself forward to be number one?

About Kinsky, I want to say a secret. Before my first game in Sunderland I thought to give, when I was in Italy, I thought to give for the Sunderland game, just for one game to make Kinsky the captain. To show just one thing, very important in football but in life. If we are a team, we are like a family. If one of us is going through a difficult period, we have to stay with him.

Showing love, showing everything he needs, but he didn't need it because he has a strong character, strong personality. He's a great goalkeeper.

And I want to say also something for Vicario because with me he was fantastic. As a guy, staying at the side with his passion today on the bench. He accepted my decision with a smile.

Who have been the people that have been crucial over the last six or seven weeks to get you out of this situation?

Dragusin. Dragusin was top because he didn't play, but he was always positive inside the dressing room. Inside the pitch. Bentancur. Because Bentancur, when he came back from the injury, he wanted to play. He came to me to say, ‘hey, I want to play. I'm ready to play.’

Joao Palhinha, because at the beginning of my time, he didn't play in Sunderland, here with Brighton and Wolverhampton. Ben Davies. Yesterday, he came to the Lodge with us.

Djed Spence. Before the Chelsea game he came in my office. Another one to say ‘I want to play.’ He said, ‘You always speak about the personality, the courage. I'm here, if you want to play with one player,’ and he was fantastic, I love it. Micky van de Ven. Great guy, sensitive guy. I spent a lot of time with him, because I consider him the best centre-back, left-centre-back in the Premier League, with Levi Colwill, because he was my former player and I can't forget him. But a lot of other players. Richarlison, Archie Gray, I can't say one.

Can you promise that this relegation battle will never happen again and where does this rank among your managerial achievements?

Listen, it's difficult to promise because the Premier League is a very tough league. For sure, we have to learn from our mistakes, we have done this season, for sure. But no, now we are happy because we stay up and we forget the past.

No, no, no, the stupid people forget the past. The smart people, the people with value, can't forget and keep in their mind the past. And we have to improve from our mistakes.

And we are looking forward to start to rebuild a team from this night, from tomorrow. No, from 10 days, we have no time for the holiday, to go on holiday.

And the second (question), yes, I think he is the biggest achievement in my time. Brighton. Europa league in Brighton was great. The second place in Marseille, with a lot of problems, was a big achievement. But I think today was maybe one of the best days in football so far.

Would you like to keep Joao Palhinha?

Yes, I would like to keep him 100%. We have to start from these people, before to speak about the players, we have to speak about the people.

And we have to start. Then, I can't give the place for everyone in the first eleven. Because I want to build two players in each position. But for sure, I would like him to stay with me. Like Conor Gallagher and Bentancur, the same.

Do you think the team could be stronger for this experience than before? Do you think the players' togetherness made the difference?

If we remember this day, for sure. Next season, we have to keep in our mind to give our best every session, every training, every game. And to think every game, every training session is like Tottenham vs Everton. If we remember this thing, I think it will be easier.

Despite avoiding relegation from the Premier League with a 1-0 final-day win against Everton, ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp has called for an inquest to take place

Jamie Redknapp has called for Tottenham to hold a major inquest into their 'embarrassing' season that almost ended in Premier League relegation.

A nervy 1-0 win at home to Everton saw Roberto De Zerbi's side secure survival and finish 17th, having accumulated 41 points from their 38 matches. West Ham, meanwhile, have been relegated and join Wolves and Burnley in the Championship, despite the Hammers thrashing Leeds United 3-0.

There was a huge amount of relief and joy inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Premier League football was confirmed for another season. After scoring the winner, Joao Palhinha celebrated with the rest of his teammates in a huddle, while De Zerbi ran on to the pitch following the full-time whistle.

But ex-Tottenham midfielder Redknapp believes the club should be embarrassed for scraping survival on the final day - and insisted there must be an enquiry to ensure this situation does not happen again.

"There will be a mixture of total joy but embarrassment as well because you've found yourself in this position but today you have got to enjoy it, the fans have got to enjoy it, the players, the staff but tomorrow there has to be a major inquiry into how this club with this stature and this fan base has got themselves into this predicament but the emotion today, that's all fine but this can't happen again," Redknapp told Sky Sports post-match.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"Huge three points for them, De Zerbi has come in and made a bit of a difference but not good enough this season, not by any stretch of the imagination."

De Zerbi cut a relieved but delighted figure in his post-match press conference, as the Italian saved Tottenham from relegation. Upon De Zerbi's arrival as Spurs' new coach in March, the club were facing a real fight to remain in the Premier League. But he has made quite the impact since arriving in north London, collecting 11 points from his seven matches at the helm to keep them as a top-flight outfit.

"We worked well but I'm lucky because we have a lot of big players," De Zerbi said. "You can see the game today and see that under big pressure they played fantastic with the ball. Maybe it was the best performance in my time here. It was an incredible game. The football was nice because if you give your best then the results will come.

"I suffered a lot through the game but my life is so nice because of the pressure in football. Without that pressure it would not be nice."

When asked what he could achieve at Tottenham next season, De Zerbi: "Next season we have to build a top, top, top team. We don't have to change too many players in our squad but we have to bring in some first level players."

At the final whistle, the Tottenham Hotspur stadium was filled with an overwhelming sense of relief. Understandably.

And as victory over West Ham was confirmed, Roberto De Zerbi did his best David Pleat impression and the stadium began to chant "we are staying up". The players then went round the pitch to to celebrate with the club's long-suffering supporters as if it was some kind of miracle, a great escape against the odds.

Then, over the stadium PA, they began to play "Glory, Glory Tottenham Hotspur". It showed how far this great club has fallen, and how it has truly forgotten what it stands for.

On this day, Tottenham survived. But no-one should remember it as anything other than the lowest, most embarrassing point for Tottenham in the Premier League era.

An utter shambles on the pitch and off it, and running so close to the drop must act as a warning to the club's hierarchy. This can never happen again.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

You do have to credit the supporters. They were so loud before kick-off and they created a remarkable atmosphere to lift and inspire the players to a first home win in the Premier League in 2026 - the last had been on December 6, under Thomas Frank, against his former club, Brentford.

Frank had of course been sacked since then, while Igor Tudor came and went in his disastrous spell as caretaker boss. Thankfully, De Zerbi has finally managed to lift these underperforming players to safety, with Joao Palhinha scoring the goal to secure victory over Everton and safety.

And yet, really, far too many of these players should hang their heads in shame.

This season is not a one off. They finished fourth from bottom last season and have finished 17th again. This whole club needs a reset.

Remember the European Super League? Six years ago, when that appeared, Spurs were front and centre, reading to jump feet first. Since then, they have become perennial strugglers, and again survived by the skin of their teeth.

Their 60,000 stadium is magnificent and was built to push them to become one of the biggest clubs in Europe. Yet, the mismanagement has seen them so nearly drop into the Championship. Luckily, West Ham were even worse.

Here, they were very lucky to face an Everton side who looked like they were already on the beach and who had two players - Jordan Pickford and James Garner - papped coming out of a strip club this week.

There was never really a sense of jeopardy in the stadium because it was always going to take Tottenham to lose, West Ham to win and Spurs never went behind. Yet, there was still not shortage of tension., especially when West Ham went ahead. When the board went up to show nine minutes of added time, there were huge groans. Spurs have been so bad this term that fans still thought one Everton goal might change everything. That is how wretched they have been.

Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky made a sensational save from Everton substitute Tyrique George deep into injury time. Kinsky did similar against Wolves and made an incredible stop to deny Leeds victory two weeks ago. He was the fall guy in the Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid but has done remarkably well to rediscover himself when needed most.

Spurs remain in the top flight thanks to small margins. At least last season they won the Europa League. But they didn't learn any lessons from it.

This summer, they must improve. If they don't they have only themselves to blame. Thankfully, De Zerbi has the energy and hunger needed.

And yet, throughout the 90-plus minutes, whenever the TV cameras looked into the directors' box, you could see the nerves etched over all their faces. Give how poorly this club has been run and how close they've come to relegation, it's little wonder.

De Zerbi has spoken to Sky Sports: "We worked well but I'm lucky because we have a lot of big players. You can see the game today and see that under big pressure they played fantastic with the ball. Maybe it was the best performance in my time here.

"It was an incredible game. The football was nice because if you give your best then the results will come.

"I suffered a lot through the game but my life is so nice because of the pressure in football. Without that pressure it would not be nice."

On what they could achieve next season: "Next season we have to build a top, top, top team. We don't have to change too many players in our squad but we have to bring in some first level players."

On the fans: "When we came on the bus today before the game it was incredible. It was more than emotion. We had a meeting yesterday and I asked the players to play with the fans because they can't change the club. Players and managers can change the club but fans can't."

Joao Palhinha to Sky Sports: "It's an amazing feeling after a really tough season.

"A lot of things happened this season but we showed today what we can do. After a bad season like this one we showed up as a collective and had amazing support from the fans.

"The club will grow up with this season and we know what we have to do in the future. It's a big pleasure to play here with a top coach and top team-mates. We have to celebrate even if we didn't finish the position we deserve as Tottenham."

On his goal: "It was just a goal. I just tried to help the team. I had a lot of emotions and wanted to dedicate it to my two sons and my parents."

Tottenham's Micky van de Ven to BBC Sport Match of the Day: "I think everyone was behind us today and we played with 12 men on the pitch.

Everton were unbelievable, they kept pushing us and when we needed to defend but they kept pushing, I think they were a massive part of the win."

On what he did when he found out West Ham United were up at half-time: "I thought that is when we need to be switched on but I didn't tell this to everyone because obviously people will start stressing but I made sure we stayed switched on and we did."

On if he is embarrassed at the season that lead to this game: "It is unacceptable that the last game we played this season we play for relegation. This club has some unbelievable players. It was embarrassing to let it come to the final day but we did it and that is what is important."

On his feelings now: "To be honest I was more emotional at the end of the final whistle, it has been a tough season for me personally as well. I played almost every game and I have suffered a lot, the emotions are really happy and we must not let it happen again."

Here are our Tottenham Hotspur player ratings after their 1-0 win against Everton ensured they will play Premier League football next season

Tottenham finally won a home Premier League game in 2026 at the last attempt and the 1-0 victory over Everton kept them in the top flight.

Spurs went into their final fixture with a two-point gap between them and West Ham in the final relegation spot which meant that a win or a draw, with their better goal difference, would be enough to keep them in the top flight. Nuno Espirito Santo's side must also beat Leeds at the London Stadium at the same time in order to keep themselves in with a chance of avoiding the drop.

De Zerbi had decided to make one change to his team after the defeat at Chelsea ended his team's four-game unbeaten streak. Randal Kolo Muani struggled at Stamford Bridge and Djed Spence, fresh from his England World Cup call-up, took his place.

Spurs had chances to score in the first half and finally took one before the break. Mathys Tel's deep corner was headed against the right-hand post by Joao Palhinha and the ball fell back for him and he fired it towards goal. It was stopped but only just over the line, although Kevin Danso fired it in anyway afterwards.

The second half was more nervy with little in the way of chances for either side until a last-gasp huge flying save from Antonin Kinsky to tip away Tyrique George's curling effort before the final whistle signalled that the club will be in the Premier League next season.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Here are our Spurs player ratings:

Antonin Kinsky

Had nothing much to do other than a couple of punches until that wonderful full-length save from George in the final moments and it was a huge moment to prevent last-gasp jitters. 9

Pedro Porro

Magnificent throughout. He ran, tackled and intercepted his way through the game from the very first kick. Spurs' man of the match. 10

Kevin Danso

Rattled a shot wide from a corner 10 minutes in and sent a header at Richarlison in front of the Everton goal. He then slammed home the ball to make sure after Palhinha's goal. Incredible battling in the final 20 minutes despite getting clocked in the face at one point and a whack in the stomach in another. 10

Micky van de Ven

The captain took a big whack from Rohl in the first half high up his calf but kept going and made some huge interceptions including one right in front of his goal late in the game. 10

Destiny Udogie

A solid shift down the left before coming off just before the 90 minutes were up. 8

Joao Palhinha

Came up with his seventh goal of the season before the break as he followed up his own header hitting the post by knocking the loose ball over the line. Threw himself at everything and seems to be there in the big moments for this team. 9

Rodrigo Bentancur

A couple of loose moments but otherwise kept the ball moving and mostly in Spurs' possession. 7

Djed Spence

Played on the right wing and was hesitant in the first half at times. Helped negate Everton going the other way though for much of the game. 6

Conor Gallagher

Fired into the side-netting after a bit of head tennis in the Everton box six minutes in. Chased every ball and gave everything he had in his tank before coming off. 7

Mathys Tel

Started brightly and earned O'Brien a yellow card in the first half as he had to haul him back. Picked up a knock in the first half which seemed to inhibit him a bit. Put in the corner that Palhinha scored from. 7

Richarlison

Plenty of running but saw very little of the ball before coming off. 5

Subs

Pape Matar Sarr

Brought some energy into the midfield. Took a big hit to the head and had to help the team in those late scrambles. 5

Randal Kolo Muani

Worked hard and had some important possession in the final minutes of the game where he held the ball up. 6

James Maddison

Barely touched the ball but was a leading voice on the pitch in the final stages. 5

Archie Gray

Also didn't see much of the ball but threw himself around to keep Everton out. 5

Radu Dragusin

Tottenham Hotspur are staying in the Premier League for another season after beating Everton to secure their top-flight status at the expense of West Ham United

Tottenham Hotspur have avoided their revenues dropping by as much as £270million after staying in the Premier League for another season.

Spurs beat Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to secure safety on the final day of the season after a goal late in the first half from Joao Palhinha. That win means Tottenham finish 17th for a second consecutive year, with West Ham United relegated at their expense despite their 3-0 victory over Leeds United.

Two points separated the two clubs. Spurs' far superior goal difference (-9 vs -19) would have given Tottenham the edge if they were level on points.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

The Times reported on Saturday that data firm Ampere Sports believed the club's revenues could drop by £270 million in the event of relegation. They estimated that income from sponsorship and TV rights would roughly halve, from a combined £283million in the 2024/25 season to £143million next term.

The publication quoted media and sports analyst Francois Godard. They said relegation is "like a government contractor losing a big deal to build a motorway or a high-speed rail line."

Spurs are already losing £35million from last season due to not qualifying for UEFA competition. West Ham, in comparison, were not in Europe.

Tottenham increased their total revenue and other income to £565.3m in last season's financial accounts. They noted that it was down to their "Europa League success alongside strong commercial performance across sponsorship, merchandising and stadium events".

The club acknowledged the "domestic on-pitch under-performance" of their team "had a direct impact on TV and media revenues". That under-performance continued into the current reporting period, so it will still impact this season's figures.

There is, though, a chance to reverse their fortunes financially next season after avoiding relegation. Being a second-tier club would have automatically ended any potential to increase their revenues.

Without the Champions League income, which will benefit this season's accounts, improving their league position significantly over the past two campaigns would help offset that. Tottenham chief executive Vinai Venkatesham spoke about the need to grow revenues after Daniel Levy's departure.

He said in an interview with the club: "Like all other 20 Premier League clubs, we also need to make sure that we're cognisant and aware of the financial fair play rules, and that means we need to continue to grow our revenues, we need to continue to develop players, both from the academy and young players that we buy.

"We need to make sure that we're selling players at the right time, and we also need to make sure that every time we're recruiting a player, we're making smart decisions, both from a sporting perspective and a financial perspective. If you don't do that, because of how the financial regulations work, you can find yourself in a position where you've got money to spend, but the regulations don't allow you to spend it.

"So, I guess to summarise, absolutely, there's financial backing against the ambition we have, and like every other club in the Premier League, we need to do that in line with the financial fair play rules."

Roberto De Zerbi has led Tottenham Hotspur to safety, sealing a place in the Premier League next season at the expense of West Ham.

Tottenham Hotspur have avoided relegation from the Premier League. Joao Palhinha fired Roberto De Zerbi's side to a 1-0 win over Everton on the final day of the season, ensuring the Lilywhites remain in the top flight of English football.

West Ham enjoyed a 3-0 victory against Leeds United, but with Spurs only needing a point to stay up, it wasn't enough. The Hammers have been relegated to the Championship, along with Burnley and Wolves.

De Zerbi was always confident he could keep Tottenham in the Premier League. Speaking to reporters for the first time as the Spurs head coach at the start of April, he expressed confidence in his players.

When asked whether he can keep Spurs in the Premier League, the Italian said: "Yes, yes. I knew before to work with them. I understood that they are good guys.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"The fans have to be happy, because all players are good guys. They are suffering for this difficult situation. I want to see (what they are like) in the game, because during the week it's easier.

"But I think the voice inside of the pitch has changed. I observed them at the beginning of my time last week, and now I'm more positive for sure."

De Zerbi learned a lot about his players after he lost his first game in charge. Tottenham plunged into the bottom three following a disappointing defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, but the Italian didn't let the result define his tenure.

He said: "You know me as a coach, but one very important part for me, for my style of being a coach, is the mental part, is to transfer the confidence of the players, to give them what they need in terms of mentality, in terms of confidence.

"For that, I said we could play better because during the week they play better, because they are clear with their head, and during the game it's different for sure. My work is to help them to show what they do during the week, on the game, during the game."

On whether the fear of relegation itself was a problem, De Zerbi simply replied: " I think so..."

Tottenham then went on a brilliant four-game unbeaten streak, climbing back out of the relegation zone. The incredible, but nervy run, was crowned with a 1-0 win over Everton on home turf.

The second half of Tottenham Hotspur's clash against Everton on the final day of the Premier League season was delayed due to a fault with the match official's communication system.

Gary Neville was left furious when the second half of Tottenham Hotspur's clash against Everton was delayed. On the final day of the Premier League season, the fixture didn't restart at the scheduled time due to a technical error with the match officials' communication system.

Five minutes after West Ham's clash against Leeds United had resumed, Michael Oliver restarted play. The games in north and east London, respectively, were no longer synchronised, and the Manchester United legend was not afraid to mince his words.

Speaking on Sky Sports from the gantry at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Neville said: "Why have they kicked off there if they're synchronising it? I don't think a football match should be stopped for this.

"This is not good enough. I get you have technical problems. The fans are booing, and rightly so. I'm furious with this, not just because it's the last game of the season, sporting integrity.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"There's an element of always kicking off together when you're fighting for something. It's absolutely ridiculous, it's a warm day today, but it could be Winter and -2 with players walking around. It's not good enough."

João Palhinha had fired Tottenham into the lead shortly before half-time, all but sealing a place in the English top-flight next season. Then, midway through the second half, the Lilywhites were given a scare when West Ham took the lead over Leeds.

The Hammers then doubled their advantage inside the final quarter of an hour, piling the pressure on Tottenham. Although Spurs only needed a point to stay up, regardless of the score in east London, Everton were just as determined to finish in the top half of the Premier League.

David Moyes, who led the Hammers to Europa Conference League glory back in 2023, was also keen to do his former employers a favour. Speaking to reporters ahead of the trip to north London, the Toffees boss said: "I would love to keep West Ham in the league if I can.

"But it’s more important that I get Everton a top-half finish and we try to get a few more million pounds because of our league place, which is so important. Sometimes when you’re in this position, you don’t look at your league position until you’re five or six years on and you look back."

Meanwhile, Roberto De Zerbi the relegation showdown. The Spurs boss said: "In football, there are different games. There are these type of games, like a final. For us, for West Ham, it will be two finals, and we have to adapt and we have to change the habits.

"I think it's a great thing to have the chance to play as a player. If I think as a player, for me, these types of games are good to play, to prepare, to suffer the pressure. The pressure is good.

"It depends if you are able to think, to stay strong with you, first of all, to stay positive. I think you can become, as I said after the Chelsea game, you can become better as a coach, as a player, as a man, because you can become better going through the tough moments.

"If everything is good in life, you can improve, but not in this way."

We've got all the action as Tottenham Hotspur end their Premier League season with a huge match against Everton in north London on Sunday

Tottenham host Everton in a massive final Premier League game of the season on Sunday afternoon which will decide whether Roberto De Zerbi's team remain in the top flight.

Spurs go into the final day clash in 17th place and holding just a two-point lead over 18th-placed West Ham in the final relegation spot. That means that De Zerbi's team must win or even draw, due to their superior goal difference, at what will be a packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to keep themselves in the Premier League, otherwise they will be relying on Leeds to do them a huge favour and prevent the Hammers from winning their final game of the campaign at the London Stadium.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold is live throughout the afternoon from N17 with insights and analysis before, during and after the crunch match against the Toffees. Scroll down for his latest updates from the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Key Events

Palhinha scores!

View Post

Over

Kolo Muani fires an effort over the bar from distance.

Spurs subs

Drinks break before Spurs changes as Sarr and Kolo Muani both get a kiss on the cheek from De Zerbi and come on for Tel, who looks like he's been playing with a knock since the first half, and Richarlison.

West Ham goal

West Ham have gone 1-0 up against Leeds.

It changes nothing if Tottenham avoid defeat this afternoon...

‌

Close

Djed Spence hits a low shot that Pickford spills just wide of the right-hand post.

Peep

The second half kicks off here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It was meant to start at the same time as the others but one of the referee's assistants was having technical issues with his mic pack.

Half-time and here are our Spurs first half player ratings

Antonin Kinsky 6

Pedro Porro 7

Kevin Danso 7

Micky van de Ven 7

Destiny Udogie 6

Joao Palhinha 8

Rodrigo Bentancur 7

Djed Spence 6

Conor Gallagher 6

Mathys Tel 7

Richarlison 6

‌

Palhinha scores!

Joao Palhinha scores! Tel's deep corner is headed against the right-hand post by Palhinha and the ball falls back for him and he fires it back towards goal and it's stopped just over the line. Danso fired it in anyway.

Chance

Danso header hits Richarlison in front of goal from a corner.

Back in action

The game is back under way.

‌

Drinks break

Drinks break for the players. Maddison, Solanke and Vicario speaking to the Spurs players along with De Zerbi. Van de Ven asking the fourth official and the referee about that hit from Rohl.

Over

Palhinha fires over at the back post from a free-kick. Seamus Coleman in the dugout having an angry back and forth across at someone on the Spurs bench.

Wide

Kevin Danso rattles a shot wide from a corner.

‌

Close

Conor Gallagher fires into the side-netting after a bit of head tennis in the Everton box. h

Peep

We're up and running here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

'Biggest shock'

Patrice Evra has said it will be the "biggest shock" if Tottenham get relegated.

The former Man Utd star told Stake:

If Tottenham to get relegated, it would be the biggest shock. Arsenal champions, Tottenham relegated. Do you know how much Arsenal fans are praying right now? I don’t think they even care about winning the league now. For them, this will be the biggest day, bigger than the day they won the Premier League. Forget the Invincibles. If this happened, for Arsenal, this will be the biggest achievement of Arsenal’s history.

‌

The Premier League have confirmed the transfer windows

We're hoping Spurs remain in the Premier League and if they do then they now know when the summer and winter transfer windows open and closed as the league have now set them in stone. You can find that all by going right here.

Roberto De Zerbi has been speaking about his future

The Italian has clarified his future if Spurs were to go down, explained what he has decided his players will do before they face Everton today and plenty more which you can find right here.

Here's every word De Zerbi said at his press conference

We've got every word Roberto De Zerbi just said on Cristian Romero, his future, Dejan Kulusevski, what he told Djed Spence's mum, what Ben Davies did, plus news on Solanke, Maddison, Vicario and plenty more. You can find the full transript by clicking right here.

‌

Alan Shearer prediction

Alan Shearer is backing Tottenham to stay up today, with a draw enough for the home side against Everton.

Shearer told Betfair: "It's such a tough one to call, I mean, I have no confidence on either side, and this is a pure guess. The pressure that Spurs are going to be under, I do think that Everton will go and get something off Spurs. I'm going to go and say a draw, and I think Spurs will stay up on goal difference."

Here's the Spurs team

Just the one change from De Zerbi and it's a big one.

Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Bentancur; Spence, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison. Subs: Vicario, Dragusin, Bissouma, Maddison, Gray, Bergvall, Solanke, Sarr, Kolo Muani.

Match odds

Tottenham 20/23

Draw 12/5

Everton 3/1

Odds courtesy of BOYLE Sports

‌

Cristian Romero's agent has been speaking

We spoke to Cristian Romero's agent in order to get both sides of the story of recent days surrounding him being in Argentina before flying back now to London. You can find the Spurs captain's side of things by reading right here.

Here's our predicted Spurs team

You can find our final predicted Tottenham team of the season by heading right here. Let us know if you agree with it.

Welcome to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

A huge afternoon awaits as Spurs try to secure their place in the Premier League next season. All the final day matches are on Sky Sports and we'll be bringing you full coverage of everything that happens right here from inside the stadium.

Follow Football London:

‌