It perfectly encapsulated Tottenham Hotspur‘s nightmare campaign that even after they finally clinched an elusive first win of 2026, it actually didn’t matter that much.
Spurs looked set to clamber out of the Premier League relegation zone after Joao Palhinha’s goal handed them all three points against already-relegated Wolves at Molineux, only for West Ham to cruelly drop them back into 18th following a last-gasp victory over Everton.
The drama had all the feel of a final-day shootout, but at the end of it, the picture in and around the bottom three was unchanged. Still, this was a timely shot in the arm for Spurs.
Having avoided equalling a club record of 16 consecutive league games without a win, they will take renewed confidence and, perhaps, renewed belief that maybe, just maybe, they can stay up after all. However, they may have to push on without Xavi Simons.
Simons was forced off after suffering a worrying-looking knee injury, and Tottenham must now nervously wait while the influential playmaker undergoes scans next week.
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Xavi Simons impresses again for Tottenham
The improvements since Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival were obvious once again in the Midlands. How Spurs will desperately wish they had appointed him sooner.
Speaking post-match, the Italian admitted he was optimistic that his team finally breaking their hoodoo at Wolves could change their mentality. It will have to if they are to have any chance of beating West Ham in what is now increasingly becoming a two-horse race.
But was he simply putting on a brave face? Losing Simons, potentially to a long-term absence, will Tottenham deeply. The Dutchman is now part of an 11-strong list of unavailable players, and De Zerbi will be anxiously crossing his fingers for an update.
Simons will be assessed on Monday or Tuesday, and a long-term blow would fall on Spurs’ neck like an executioner’s axe, especially with confidence so brittle. Too often this season, it has felt like a stiff breeze would be enough to knock them off course.
Tottenham had been on the counter-attack around the hour mark when Simons looked to keep the ball in play. He then collapsed to the turf after a collision with Hugo Bueno. Despite being visibly in discomfort, he was allowed to play on before finally admitting defeat.
Even then, the 23-year-old protested after De Zerbi replaced him with Joao Palhinha, the man who, of course, went on to score the potentially campaign-defining winner.
The sight of Simons being carried around the pitch on a stretcher could have sent Tottenham’s players scurrying back into their shells. That has been their unfortunate and persistent habit. But instead, they rallied together, showing fighting spirit and courage.
It was only a week or so ago that De Zerbi had warned his squad that he would not tolerate crying. Ironically, it was just as Wolves supporters had started to chant: “You’re going to cry in a minute,” that Palhinha got the decisive touch, prodding home from close range.
But while it was job done on the pitch, off it, this crisis threatens to escalate. Dominic Solanke was also forced off in the first half before being replaced by Richarlison.
De Zerbi had recently waxed lyrical about Simons’ ability to receive the ball under pressure. Against Wolves, the wily playmaker was tasked with dropping into pockets of space and acting as the free man, the out ball that allowed the visitors to play their way out of danger.
While it has not been the easiest debut campaign, Simons has often stood head and shoulders above his team-mates. He has now created 34 chances this season, the second-highest tally in the squad behind Pedro Porro (40). Two of these openings came at Molineux.
He took a total of 49 touches, including four inside Wolves’ box. Crucially, Simons completed 33 of his 35 passes, boasting a 94 per cent hit rate. He had also helped Spurs progress through the gears, with three of his five attempted long balls accurate.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic, meaning Simons had to do this part defensively, too. By the time of his withdrawal, he had made one tackle, two clearances and two recoveries.
After he was forced off on a stretcher, Spurs looked notably looser. “We lost distances, we lost order on the pitch,” De Zerbi said, proving Simons’ importance to his style of play.
Spurs must build momentum
The away end had erupted with noise after news of Everton’s 88th-minute leveller at West Ham filtered through, but Wolves supporters were given the opportunity to respond when Callum Wilson snatched all three points for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the capital.
This was not to be the day that Spurs finally got above the dotted line.
However, it was no less significant. Astronauts had gone to the far side of the moon and back since Tottenham had last won in the Premier League. They needed this. Now, finally, they have a platform on which they can build, despite the ominous ticking of the clock.
De Zerbi celebrated this maiden victory with exuberance, fist pumping in front of the travelling contingent. There is hope, but now, the truly hard part will begin.
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