Wolves v Tottenham LIVE: Palhinha scores priceless late goal as Spurs win crunch survival clash

Wolves vs Tottenham LIVE

• Tottenham secure vital 1-0 win over Wolves in Premier League relegation battle thanks to Joao Palhinha effort
• Spurs record first win of 2026 but still in the bottom three as West Ham beat Everton 2-1
• 83' - GOAL! Joao Palhinha pokes in priceless Spurs goal from close range [WOL 0-1 TOT]
• INJURY! Xavi Simons carted off in serious pain, clutching his knee
• INJURY! Dominic Solanke forced off injured clutching his leg in worrying blow for Spurs and England

Tottenham keep survival hopes alive with Joao Palhinha’s late winner

Saturday 25 April 2026 17:53 , Luke Baker

Joao Palhinha’s 82nd-minute tap-in earned Tottenham a first Premier League win of 2026 with a 1-0 victory at Wolves but they remain in the relegation zone.

Spurs looked set for a painful afternoon at Molineux after Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons were forced off due to injury until Roberto De Zerbi watched Palhinha slide in at the back post from a scuffed Richarlison shot to secure a first league success in 16 matches.

It momentarily took Tottenham out of the bottom three, but a late winner for West Ham has kept the gap to two points with only four games left.

Tottenham keep survival hopes alive with Joao Palhinha’s late winner at Wolves

Joao Pahinha hopes victory changes something

Saturday 25 April 2026 17:32 , Luke Baker

Joao Palhinha spoke to BBC Sport after scoring the winning goal to end Spurs’ 15-game winless streak.

“Hopefully it changes something,” he said. “This victory is much more than that for me, the fans, and the whole club, it’s not a normal season that we have been living until today. We all have responsibility in this season.

“We have four finals [remaining]. 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 will give everything we have until the end of the season because it means a lot for us to keep [Tottenham] in the Premier League.”

(PA)

Spurs celebrate valuable win

Saturday 25 April 2026 17:15 , Luke Baker

What a result for Tottenham. Can this spark a great escape?

(Getty)

(Reuters)

(PA)

(Getty)

FULL-TIME! Wolves 0-1 Tottenham

Saturday 25 April 2026 17:01 , Luke Baker

They’ve done it! What a huge result for Spurs - a long overdue, first win of 2026! Roberto De Zerbi said one win could change things for Tottenham - he’ll desperately hope that’s the case.

It was a scrappy game but Joao Palhinha steered in from close range on 83 minutes for a priceless goal. West Ham’s win over Everton means Spurs are still int he bottom three but there’s hope again at last

(PA)

SAVE! Wolves 0-1 Tottenham, 90+8 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 17:00 , Luke Baker

OH MY WORD! A superb save by Kinsky as he flings himself to his left and tips Joao Gomes’s curling effort over the bar. That’s a match-winning save!

The much-maligned Antonin Kinsky doing the business

Wolves 0-1 Tottenham, 90+7 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:59 , Luke Baker

Danso fouls Mane and is yellow carded. One last chance for Wolves from the free-kick...

Wolves 0-1 Tottenham, 90+6 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:57 , Luke Baker

Wolves surge forward and Hwang plays the ball to the edge of the box but Spurs converge and clear the ball. Joao Gomes then throws out an arm when contesting a challenge with Lucas Bergvall, who goes down clutching his face.

There is contact and the ref goes for a yellow card - right call. Into the final 90 seconds now.

Wolves 0-1 Tottenham, 90+4 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:56 , Luke Baker

Another Wolves sub as David Moller Wolfe comes on for Hugo Bueno, who is clutching his leg. Spurs doing a good job of seeing this one out at the moment

Wolves 0-1 Tottenham, 90+2 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:54 , Luke Baker

Bad news for Spurs! Not in this game but in West Ham’s clash with Everton where the Hammers have just gone 2-1 up. That menas Spurs would still be in the relegation zone despite this result!

(PA)

Wolves 0-1 Tottenham, 90 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:52 , Luke Baker

Mane cuts in from the left but slices his shot over the bar and drops his head in frustration.

The board goes up - seven minutes of added time! It actually could’ve been more than that, given Xavi Simons’ injury.

Another Spurs sub as Conor Gallagher comes off and Radu Dragusin is on. A defender on for a midfielder as they try to hold this lead.

Wolves 0-1 Tottenham, 89 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:51 , Luke Baker

Half-hearted appeals for a penalty by Wolves as Mane’s cross maybe hits a hand but Spurs then clear.

Wolves 0-1 Tottenham, 87 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:50 , Luke Baker

And now, big news coming that Everton have equalised against West Ham! That means that, as it stands, Spurs are OUT of the relegation zone... What a turn of events that would be!

Hwang Hee-chan and Jackson Tchatchoua on for Wolves for Lima and Rodrigo Gomes.

Wolves 0-1 Tottenham, 84 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:46 , Luke Baker

Suddenly the Tottenham fans in full voice! “When the Spurs go marching in” ringing round Molineux now.

But there’s a long way to go, we all remember what happened against Brighton last week... Roberto De Zerbi tapping his head to remind the players

GOAL! Wolves 0-1 Tottenham (Joao Palhinha, 83 mins)

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:45 , Luke Baker

THERE’S THE GOAL THEY SO NEEDED! Spurs win the corner and it’s whipped in from the right. The ball goes loose in the box, Richarlison swivels and pokes it goalwards, Joao Palhinha lunges at the back post and steers it home!

Questions of offside but ex-Spurs man Matt Doherty is playing him onside! What a massive, massive goal.

(PA)

CLOSE! Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 79 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:42 , Luke Baker

Wolves are really coming into their own now! Bueno’s shot is blocked before the ball is worked wide, Mane clips it in and Armstrong arcs his header over the bar. The striker would have wanted to do better there.

Then, up the other end, Spurs go close! A cross clipped in from the right and Richarlison is lurking at the back post, ready to nod it in but a leaping Doherty at full stretch gets enough of a flick to divert it away from the Brazilian forward.

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 77 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:39 , Luke Baker

Arokodare now doing his defensive duty as he deals with Danso’s long throw into the box. The ball comes back in and Sa claims it well. He goes down heavily, possibly winded, but he’ll be fine

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 74 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:38 , Luke Baker

Conor Gallagher the latest Spurs players to be booked as he lunges into to try and get to a loose ball but Doherty is there first, nicks the ball away and then gets a sliding Gallagher in his side.

Wolves then attack, Arokodare backs into Van de Ven on the six-yard box with his back to goal but can’t get a shot away from Bueno’s good ball in. He’ll offer a physical presence in attack for Wolves

(Reuters)

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 72 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:34 , Luke Baker

Joao Gomes has played well today but he’s withdrawn by Rob Edwards for the closing stages with Tolu Arokodare coming on for Wolves.

SAVE! Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 69 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:33 , Luke Baker

Biggest chance of the match for Tottenham and what a save by Jose Sa! Porro curls the corner in from the right and Bentancur powers a header that Sa brilliantly parries away - great reactions.

CLOSE! Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 65 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:28 , Luke Baker

Almost disaster for Spurs! Danso and Van de Ven make an absolute horlicks of a long ball over the top and Armstrong gets between them but luckily Kinsky is so quick off his line and able to dive full length and punch clear.

It falls to Mane who surges forward and is hacked down by a lunging Bentancur. A yellow card for the Uruguayan. The free-kick is then well struck but inches over Kinsky’s bar.

Things are starting to go south for Spurs

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 63 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:26 , Luke Baker

Well, that’s a sad sight. Simons tries to run along the sideline to test his knee and crumples to the ground again. This time, the stretcher comes round to cart him away. Very sad and hopefully not as serious as it looks. Tottenham have now lost Simons and Dominic Solanke today.

Bissouma is subbed at the same time as the Dutch international, with Lucas Bergvall and Joao Palhinha coming on

(PA)

CLOSE! Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 60 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:23 , Luke Baker

The good news is Xavi Simons is back on his feet. He’s going to continue treatment on the sideline and maybe will continue?

Spurs down to 10 men for now and Wolves attack. The ball into the box and Lima gets his head to it. But it’s over the bar!

INJURY! Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 58 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:20 , Luke Baker

Oh no... This is more bad news for Spurs. Xavi Simons chasing the ball with Hugo Bueno and goes down clutching his knee in immense pain. Bueno protests his innocence and he’s right, he’s not done anything. Simons has planted his leg and his knee has twisted in the turf.

He looks in agony and I fear this serious. Essentially a non-contact injury.

(Reuters)

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 57 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:18 , Luke Baker

Porro gets his legs tangled with Mane and fouls the Portuguese youngster. A little bit of afters and it ends with Porro getting yellow carded (perhaps more for the initial foul) and Hugo Bueno likewise. He got involved after the foul.

The free-kick comes to nothing though with Mane’s initial cross being blocked by the wall and Spurs then clearing

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 54 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:15 , Luke Baker

Jose Sa looks to clear the ball but with Richarlison closing down, opts for a Cruyff turn instead! A bit unnecessary? He gets away with it though.

Tottenham come back in attack but that’s ugly from Richarlison. Snatches at his shot and shanks it well over the bar.

CHANCE! Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 52 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:13 , Luke Baker

Best chance of the match so far! Spurs final attack with purpose and the ball is fizzed out to Simons on the left.

He cuts inside Doherty, gets it on his right foot and hits it at goal but over the bar! He did well to get into the position but the finish was badly lacking

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 49 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:11 , Luke Baker

Good sliding tackle from Spence on Lima but Bissouma’s pass is then way too long and runs out for a goal-kick. Spurs lacking an injection of quality at the moment

(Reuters)

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 47 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:08 , Luke Baker

Early pressure from Wolves in this second period. They win a corner which is put in the mixer but Porro scrambles it away and Lima’s shot from the edge of the box doesn’t trouble anybody

KICK-OFF! Wolves 0-0 Tottenham

Saturday 25 April 2026 16:07 , Luke Baker

Back underway. Can Spurs get the breakthrough they need?

HALF-TIME! Wolves 0-0 Tottenham

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:51 , Luke Baker

A limp first half comes to an end. Roberto De Zerbi has gone from surprisingly subdued to increasingly irritated on the touchline as his side have been on top but created little.

The main news is striker Dominic Solanke going off injured with what looked like a knee or hamstring injury. Bad news for Spurs and England

(PA)

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 45+2 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:50 , Luke Baker

Oooh, that’s not clever from Andre! He goes in with two feet, studs up on Bissouma, competing for the ball. Bissouma slips slightly himself so is completely wiped out by the Wolves midfielder.

There wasn’t much of the ball got there by Andre... A bit of pushing and shoving ensues and in the end referee Anthony Taylor flashes a yellow card. Probably just about the right call but Andre us a bit of a lucky boy

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 45 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:46 , Luke Baker

Three minutes of injury time here at Molineux. This hasn’t been great stuff.

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 42 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:44 , Luke Baker

Can Richarlison impact this game? Truthfully, it has failed to catch light at all so far.

Mane does well to win a corner for Wolves and whips it in himself but comfortably dealt with by the Spurs defence

INJURY! Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 39 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:41 , Luke Baker

And there it is. The signal to the bench and Richarlison will come on. Solanke is up on his feet but he’s walking pretty gingerly off the pitch.

Hard to tell if it’s a knee or a hamstring issue but either way a potentially devastating blow for the striker. Hopefully not as serious as it looks

(Reuters)

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 37 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:38 , Luke Baker

Hmmm, this is bad news for Tottenham (and possibly England). Dominic Solanke plants his left leg and then pull up, immediately putting his hand to knee area.

Down goes the England striker and he’s receiving treatment now

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 34 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:35 , Luke Baker

Joao Gomes stays down clutching his shin after a 50-50 with Djed Spence but there was nothing in that. And he’s duly back up on his feet soon after.

Scruffy cross from Gallagher bounces to Solanke on the byline but he’s muscled off it by Santiago Bueno and fouls him trying to win it back

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 30 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:31 , Luke Baker

Spurs into the Wolves box but that’s when the gold shirts swarm. They can’t clear properly though and Simons manages to get a shot off but it goes quite a way wide.

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 28 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:30 , Luke Baker

The corner goes short and eventually Mane clips it in, Santiago Bueno competes and Rodrigo Gomes lashes at goal but it’s blocked. Another shot is then deflected behind for a second corner.

This time Solanke heads it away and Porro launches the clearance. Kolo Muani chases and Sa is a long way out of his area but manages to shepherd and kick the ball back into his own box with the Frenchman in pursuit so he can gleefully dive on it.

(Reuters)

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 27 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:27 , Luke Baker

There was a thought that Kolo Muani could be replaced for this fixture after a slightly nondescript display against Brighton last time out, perhaps by Mathys Tel, but he kept his spot. And he’s probably been Tottenham’s liveliest player so far.

At the other end, Wolves win their first corner of the day off Danso.

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 24 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:25 , Luke Baker

Andre is a classy operator at the base of the Wolves midfield. He’s been disrupting play all game long and does well there to nip the ball away from Kolo Muani to stifle a dangerous-looking attack.

Solanke then wins a free-kick after a heavy challenge from Joao Gomes. For all their domination, Spurs haven’t really created anything clear-cut

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 21 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:22 , Luke Baker

A ball through, looking for the run of Spence is just a little heavy and runs through to Sa. Right idea, not quite perfectly executed.

Spurs still dominating possession and Simons is trying to dictate play from the No 10 role. That moment of class to unlock the Wolves defence hasn’t quite come yet though.

Interestingly, Roberto De Zerbi is a much more subdued figure than normal on the touchline. Feeling the nerves?

(PA)

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 17 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:18 , Luke Baker

Spence is marauding down the left flank for Spurs and enjoying himself, running at the lupine backline, looking dangerous. He’s only in the team today because of Udogie’s injury but making the most of the chance so far.

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 14 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:15 , Luke Baker

The corners are coming thick and fast for Spurs now. Simons to whip it on from the right, finds Porro on the edge... But that is shanked high and wide on the volley! Sarcastic jeers ring round the ground

Beckham to Scholes, that was not...

(Getty)

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 12 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:13 , Luke Baker

Kolo Muani strides forward again and lashes a shot goalwards from 20 yards out but it flies comfortably wide. Spurs have stamped out any early threat from Wolves and are in control here but still hunting that opening goal

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 9 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:09 , Luke Baker

Kolo Muani runs at Toti and tests out the Wolves defender, who does well to hook a leg round and hook the ball out for a corner.

The cross is deep but the ref blows for a foul, deeming Gallagher to have been too physical in his jostling.

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 7 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:08 , Luke Baker

Spurs on top now. They win a corner, Simons goes short to Porro who clips it in but Sa able to punch clear. Effective, if not completely conventional

(Reuters)

CLOSE! Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 5 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:05 , Luke Baker

Free-kick for Wolves, out towards the right and Porro swings it in. Good header by Danso on the far side, powered across goal, and just beyond Solanke as it bounces wide.

Solanke claims he was pushed and wants a penalty but that’s optimistic to say the least...

Wolves 0-0 Tottenham, 2 mins

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:02 , Luke Baker

Early touch for Jose Sa, who is back in goal for Wolves after injury. The hosts stroking the ball about nicely in the opening couple of minutes, although Spurs are pressing high trying to force a mistake

KICK-OFF! Wolves v Tottenham

Saturday 25 April 2026 15:01 , Luke Baker

Underway at a glorious, sun-baked Molineux. A huge day for Spurs. We really have reached must-win territory. Let’s get it

Wolves v Tottenham team news

Saturday 25 April 2026 14:58 , Luke Baker

With a couple of minutes until kick-off, here’s a reminder of the team news.

Spence in for Udogie at left-back for Spurs, while Wolves make five changes with Sa, Lima, Doherty, Rodrigo Gomes and MAne in.

Wolves XI: Sa; Lima, Doherty, S Bueno, Toti, H Bueno; Andre, J Gomes, R Gomes; Mane, Armstrong

Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur, Gallagher; Kolo Muani, Solanke, Simons

Tottenham survival chances

Saturday 25 April 2026 14:50 , Luke Baker

Position: 18th | Played: 33 | Points: 31 | GD: -11

Remaining fixtures:

• 25 April - Wolves (A)
• 2 May - Aston Villa (A)
• 9 May - Leeds (H)
• 17 May - Chelsea (A)
• 24 May - Everton (H)

Where to pick up points? At the moment, Spurs can’t pick up a win from anywhere... They haven’t won for 16 league matches, with their last Premier League triumph coming against Crystal Palace back in December. Spurs looked set to end that miserable run after Xavi Simons fired the hosts ahead against Brighton last Saturday but Georginio Rutter struck at the death to deny Roberto de Zerbi’s side. On paper, a game away to Wolves this afternoon has to end up with three points, and a potentially pivotal clash with Leeds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium three matches from the end of the campaign is also a golden opportunity. But every fixture is tough currently.

Tricky contests? Sidestepping the obvious quip of ‘every single one’, given their recent form, away games at Champions League-chasing Aston Villa and Chelsea in May don’t look too fruitful.

Final straight? Leeds at home as the third-last game is absolutely huge. Should that game go awry and Spurs head into the final two matches in the relegation zone, then a trip to Stamford Bridge and clash with Everton to finish up appear unlikely to provide succour.

Wolves players arrive at Molineux

Saturday 25 April 2026 14:42 , Luke Baker

Want an artsy, slow-mo video of Wolves players arriving at Molineux earlier? Well, you’re getting one...

Arriving at Molineux 👋 pic.twitter.com/FCEW2v3TNd

— Wolves (@Wolves) April 25, 2026

A big day for Roberto De Zerbi

Saturday 25 April 2026 14:33 , Luke Baker

Can he dig out a first win of his reign as Tottenham boss? He probably needs to

🫡 pic.twitter.com/9kSx45POst

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 25, 2026

James Maddison expected to be an unused sub

Saturday 25 April 2026 14:21 , Luke Baker

James Maddison is on the bench again for Spurs as he continues he return from a long-term injury but Roberto De Zerbi suggested, much like against Brighton, he would be an unused sub again today.

“He is not available yet, especially in this week. He felt pain but not so important problem,” explained De Zerbi in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“He will come with us on the bench because he is important. If he plays or not, it doesn’t matter. As a guy, as a leader, he is a positive guy. Inside of my dressing room I want to see nice people, positive people and this is important also for his team-mates.”

James Maddison is at Molineux but will likely be an unused sub (PA)

LAST NIGHT: Nottingham Forest thrash Sunderland to power closer to Premier League safety

Saturday 25 April 2026 14:11 , Luke Baker

Morgan Gibbs-White inspired Nottingham Forest to ease themselves further clear of the Premier League relegation zone with a stunning 5-0 victory at Sunderland.

The 26-year-old, who scored a hat-trick in last weekend’s 4-1 win over Burnley, starred in a first-half rout as the Europa League semi-finalists established an eight-point gap to 18th-placed Tottenham, who only have five games left to play.

Aided and abetted by a shambolic defensive performance by Regis Le Bris’ men, Forest put the game to bed before the kettle for the half-time tea had even been filled with Trai Hume’s unfortunate own goal sparking a spectacular collapse amid which Chris Wood, Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus all scored inside six minutes before Elliot Anderson added a fifth at the death.

Nottingham Forest thrash Sunderland to power closer to Premier League safety

Wolves v Tottenham team news

Saturday 25 April 2026 14:01 , Luke Baker

So, Roberto De Zerbi keeps the faith with the Spurs side that suffered late heartbreak against Brighton - the only change is enforced, with Djed Spence in at left-back for the injured Destiny Udogie.

Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani will combine at the sharp-end of the pitch and Xavi Simons retains the No 10 jersey after his impressive display.

Meanwhile, Wolves have rung the changes with Jose Sa fit again and back in goal, Matt Doherty in defence along with 19-year-old Pedro Lima, who makes his first league start of the season, and Rodrigo Gomes and Mateus Mane the new faces further up the pitch.

Wolves XI: Sa; Lima, Doherty, S Bueno, Toti, H Bueno; Andre, J Gomes, R Gomes; Mane, Armstrong

Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur, Gallagher; Kolo Muani, Solanke, Simons

Wolves team news

Saturday 25 April 2026 13:52 , Luke Baker

Changes aplenty for Wolves now they’re officially relegated - five from the Leeds game, in fact.

Matt Doherty has shaken off his niggle to skipper the side and it’s double Gomes with Joao and Rodrigo playing, although the third Gomes - Angel - is only on the bench. Mane and Armstrong will combine up top

🖐 Five changes from #LEEWOL
🇮🇪 Doherty captains the team

How we line-up to take on @SpursOfficial 📋 pic.twitter.com/yc3RICQOPh

— Wolves (@Wolves) April 25, 2026

Tottenham team news

Saturday 25 April 2026 13:49 , Luke Baker

The teams are out and here’s how Spurs will line up. We’ll have full analysis shortly but Destiny Udogie does miss out, so Djed Spence is at left-back.

That’s actually the only change from last week, so Yves Bissouma and Randal Kolo Muani are given another chance, while Antonin Kinsky continues in goal

Our Spurs side at Molineux 👊

🔢 @krakenfx pic.twitter.com/Ej59qUEgUd

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 25, 2026

Molineux ready for Wolves v Tottenham

Saturday 25 April 2026 13:41 , Luke Baker

Just a few minutes until we get the team news for this afternoon. A sun-baked Molineux is ready

(PA)

(Reuters)

(Reuters)

(Reuters)

Roberto De Zerbi explains why he already has a ‘special connection’ with Xavi Simons at Tottenham

Saturday 25 April 2026 13:26 , Luke Baker

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi believes he already has a “special connection” with Xavi Simons.

De Zerbi, a former creative midfielder himself during his playing days, told SpursPlay: “He’s lucky to work with me – not because I’m good, because I was number 10. What he thinks now, I thought 20 years ago. So, we have a special connection.

“I have a special connection with all number 10s I work with. I love a number 10. A number 10 has to understand that he has to score and he has to make assists, not just play to be nice to the people – goals and assists.”

De Zerbi explains why he already has a ‘special connection’ with Simons at Tottenham

Early Wolves team news

Saturday 25 April 2026 13:13 , Luke Baker

As for Wolves, their clash with Leeds saw Angel Gomes suffer a first-half toe injury and Ladislav Krejci worsen a neck problem he has been battling. Gomes should be fit enough to play but Krejci appears unlikely.

Jose Sa is looking good for a return after a shoulder spasm, while ex-Tottenham defender Matt Doherty is back from a niggle in time to face his old club but Yerson Mosquera is suspended and Sam Johnstone out for the season with a shoulder issue.

Wolves possible lineup: Sa; Doherty, Toti, S Bueno, H Bueno; J. Gomes, Andre, Mane; Tchatchoua, Armstrong, Hwang

Angel Gomes should be fit to start for Wolves (Getty)

Early Spurs team news

Saturday 25 April 2026 13:02 , Luke Baker

We’re expecting official team news for today at around 1.45pm but here’s what we know already, starting with Spurs.

James Maddison was in a matchday squad for the first time this season against Brighton, although given the length of time he was out injured and having been an unused substitute against the Seagulls, he’s unlikely to start.

Spurs also have a litany of other injury issues, with Guglielmo Vicario (hernia), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Ben Davies (ankle), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Cristian Romero (knee), Pape Sarr (shoulder) or Wilson Odobert (knee) all out. Destiny Udogie is also a new doubt.

Of the starting XI a week ago, Randal Kolo Muani and Yves Bissouma would appear to be the most likely to be changed after uninspiring performances, with Lucas Bergvall and Mathys Tel potential replacements.

Tottenham possible XI: Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bergvall, Bentancur, Gallagher; Tel, Solanke, Simons

Destiny Udogie is an injury doubt (Reuters)

Roberto De Zerbi: One win can change the season

Saturday 25 April 2026 12:50 , Luke Baker

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi is under no illusions about the scale of the task facing his side in the relegation battle, even today against already-relegated Wolves.

But he’s adamant just one win could spark something for the north Londoners.

“It’s a tough game [against Wolves] because they have nothing to lose," said De Zerbi. "It’s an important game for us, for sure, but we have to be able to play with not too much pressure.

“I found good players, good guys, serious players here and they follow me. They believe in my words because I am able to recognise the eyes of the players.

“We are suffering, they are suffering because it is not easy to play in Tottenham in this condition of the table, but I said they have to be stronger and they have to live to win a game.

“We have to live every part of the day waiting for a win and preparing for a win because I think with a win we can change this part of the season.”

Roberto De Zerbi is still waiting for his first win at Tottenham (Getty)

Wolves relegated from Premier League with five games to play

Saturday 25 April 2026 12:38 , Luke Baker

Wolves have been relegated from the Premier League after eight seasons in the English top flight.

Their fate was sealed with five league games still to play after suffering a 3-0 defeat at Leeds, with West Ham’s draw with Crystal Palace on Monday evening making it mathematically impossible for Rob Edwards’ side to pull off a great escape.

Following the defeat to Leeds, Edwards’ side were given a brief reprieve on Saturday after a late stoppage-time equaliser from Georginio Rutter meant Tottenham failed to beat Brighton. That result still made it possible for Wolves to leapfrog the crisis-ridden north London side.

But by drawing 0-0 with Crystal Palace, West Ham have gone 16 points clear of the rock-bottom club in 17th, creating an unbridgeable gap and condemning Wolves to the drop.

Wolves have been mathematically relegated from the Premier League (Getty)

LAST TIME OUT: Brighton’s stoppage-time equaliser brings heartbreak for Spurs

Saturday 25 April 2026 12:36 , Luke Baker

Tottenham remain in the Premier League relegation zone after they were stunned by a stoppage-time leveller from Brighton substitute Georginio Rutter during a pulsating 2-2 draw in Roberto De Zerbi’s home debut.

Spurs looked set to end a 15-match winless in the top-flight when Xavi Simons produced a superb 77th-minute strike to spark wild celebrations.

Xavi’s fine effort followed up his assist for Pedro Porro’s opener after 39 minutes, which was cancelled out by Kaoru Mitoma in first-half stoppage-time.

However, scenes of jubilation turned to disbelief when Kevin Danso lost possession in the fifth minute of time added on and Rutter curled home to ensure the spoils were shared.

Read the full report as Spurs suffered a body blow:

Brighton’s stoppage-time equaliser keeps Tottenham in relegation zone

When is Wolves v Tottenham?

Saturday 25 April 2026 12:35 , Luke Baker

Wolves host Tottenham at Molineux on Saturday 25 April, with kick-off at 3pm BST.

There is no live TV coverage of the match in the UK, due to 3pm blackout rules, but stick with The Independent for full live coverage.

Roberto De Zerbi on the touchline with Richarlison during Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Brighton (PA Wire)

Wolves v Tottenham

Saturday 25 April 2026 12:21 , Luke Baker

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Wolves v Tottenham.

This is an absolutely monumental game for Spurs in their battle to stay in the Premier League. It really does feel like three points or bust today...