The Victory
Tottenham defeated already-relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 at Molineux on April 26, 2026, with João Palhinha scoring the decisive goal in the 82nd minute. The victory ended Spurs' 15-game winless streak in the league dating back to December 28, 2025. Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky made a crucial save late in the match, tipping João Gomes' free-kick over the bar to preserve the lead. The win provided a significant psychological boost after Spurs surrendered a 2-1 lead to Brighton the previous week when Georginio Rutter scored a stoppage-time equalizer.
Relegation Zone Status
Despite the victory, Tottenham remain in the relegation zone but are only two points behind West Ham United, who secured a 2-1 win over Everton on the same day. The result kept Spurs' survival hopes alive with several weeks remaining in the season. De Zerbi stated he believes the team has a genuine chance to stay up, noting the gap is two points rather than ten.
De Zerbi's Assessment
Manager Roberto De Zerbi expressed surprise at the players' right spirit and attitude since his appointment on March 31. He acknowledged the performance was not pretty, particularly in the second half, but praised the squad's mentality and refusal to give up. De Zerbi stated his task is to give the players confidence and order on the pitch, emphasizing that watching from the stands or television cannot reveal a team's true spirit. He expressed optimism that the victory can change the team's mentality going forward.
Injuries Derail Momentum
The victory was bittersweet as Tottenham lost two influential attacking players to injuries during the match. First-choice striker Dominic Solanke suffered a muscle injury just before half-time, and Xavi Simons was forced off on a stretcher in the second half with a knee problem. De Zerbi stated he was uncertain about the severity of Solanke's injury and that the team would assess both players Monday or Tuesday. With nine players already missing, losing Solanke and Simons for extended periods would significantly damage Spurs' chances of escaping relegation.
Performance and Mentality
Despite the limited quality of play, Spurs demonstrated positive mentality throughout the match. Examples included players working hard to prevent throw-ins in the 24th minute and Solanke blocking a fierce volley from a corner. De Zerbi demanded a mentality shift, emphasizing the need to stay strong mentally and positive. He stated that the most important factors are the players' qualities and human level, and that working with the squad daily has increased his faith in their ability to survive. 
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