Tottenham Hotspur

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

As Roberto de Zerbi searches for a psychologist to "change the mentality" of his players, the footballers themselves are actually showing their mettle.

Of course, this squad must take responsibility for their fair share of what has gone wrong on the pitch this season. However, it is not all their fault, and accusations that they simply do not care if we get relegated or not were exposed at Molineux.

In fact, as the players rallied themselves for a scrap against already relegated Wolves, we saw evidence of the mental strength that often goes overlooked in elite sports professionals – highly paid individuals who are, in the most part, expected to just get on with their jobs without any fuss.

Resilience, professionalism and determination were in abundance on Saturday. A notable example was Kevin Danso, a player subjected to despicable racism the week before, who could have been easily forgiven for wanting some time off. Instead, he put in a solid performance and helped his teammates keep a clean sheet, reminding everyone that "we can only do this together".

Antonin Kinsky, publicly humiliated by our former manager when he was hauled off after conceding three goals in 15 minutes against Atletico last month, would have been met with understanding and sympathy had he decided to give up on a career in football altogether. Yet there he was, in goal against Wolves, and on 98 minutes making what could turn out to be the save which keeps us up.

Finally, Joao Palhinha, harshly viewed by many as a tackler and nothing more, a player on loan from Bayern Munich with no significant ties to Spurs. Nevertheless, it was our reliable, yet steely loanee who flung out a hopeful limb and managed to secure our first win of 2026, and then let everyone know just how much it meant.

So, some promising signs on the pitch yet, as I watched 'highlights' of our medical team seemingly encouraging Xavi Simons to run off what was in fact an ACL rupture, I was left wondering who would benefit most from a psychologist at Spurs – players, or staff?

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In 26 days, every Premier League club will be in action as they take to the field for one last time in the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Pressure, points and the unknown make the upcoming games tantalising for most neutral supporters.

Maybe less so if you're a Tottenham or West Ham fan.

As it stands, Tottenham sit within the relegation zone, two points from safety with West Ham in their sights.

On the Monday Night Club, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said: "You look at Spurs and think, well, you have beaten Wolves. They are the team in serious trouble. What they have in their favour is that their goal difference is better than West Ham's."

The Hammers have gained seven points in their last three league games, in comparison to Spurs' four.

"Since the turn of the year, they seem to have a bit of backbone and a bit of spine and a threat going forward. Tottenham messed up with the Igor Tudor appointment – that was the killer for them," added Sutton.

Former Lionesses captain, Steph Houghton said Nuno Espirito Santo's side have more "confidence" in comparison of Roberto de Zerbi's team.

"West Ham have a bit more personality and a bit more fight," she said.

"Jarrod Bowen, the skipper, has got that bit of quality and with Tottenham's injuries, they are going to miss that quality."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Steph Houghton thinks there's little chance of James Maddison featuring before the end of the season.

Houghton believes his absence is a "worry" for Spurs as they lack a "maverick" during the relegation run-in.

Chris Sutton however thinks Maddison - who has been on the bench for two weeks having overcome long-term injury - will play some part.

Take a look at the Monday Night Club clip below, watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Xavi Simons' season-ending injury, and who you want to see in his place as Tottenham battle to stay in the Premier League.

Here are some of your comments:

Stuart: This is particularly cruel as Simons is a classy player but was not able to show this under Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor. Roberto de Zerbi seemed to be starting to get the best out of him. With Cristian Romero's injury linked to the injustice of the Brian Brobbey decision, and maybe Solanke's injury, it typifies our season.

Stephen: Of course Xavi's injury is a huge blow for us. Can only hope that James Maddison can come back on time to help us fight relegation. He's the only creative midfielder we have left!

Doug: Devastated for him, he was dedicated to keeping us up and a real blow losing him for the remainder of the season. He suits De Zerbi style of play, you could see his progress under him and would have continued to flourish playing for him. In his statement he put Spurs first before the World Cup. We seriously need to be looking at our medical team, that is four ACL injuries (Simons, Radu Dragusin, Wilson Odobert, Maddison) in the past 15 months with only one of those currently back - on top of all the other injuries we keep getting.

Dave: Hard to know where to turn now. Is there any chance Maddison could play, even if just for 45 minutes? I'd also like to see more of our two young stars - Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall - they are fearless and consistently over-perform. Stay with Rodrigo Bentancur & Joao Palhinha, and I'd start Richarlison over Kolo Muani, who seems slow and cumbersome, just not on it at the moment.

Erik: Massive blow to lose Simons. Undoubtedly one of the few really talented and committed players in the squad. This is incredible bad luck for him and Spurs. It would not surprise me if he has played his last game for Tottenham. He will not want to be a Championship player next season.

Ian: Perhaps Spurs should look at their young stars from the academy for the final games. They've produced so many good players over the years, and their natural, lack of fear is perhaps what the team need right now.

Peter: Yet another blow in an injury-ridden season. We are hanging on by our boot laces, but the heart shown in the win against Wolves gives hope - and the talent still available can take Spurs to a happy ending in this difficult campaign. COYS!

Prudent Nsengiyumva
BBC Sport journalist

Simons' influence on Tottenham has been clear.

When he plays, Spurs look sharper and more threatening in the final third. His presence raises the tempo, links midfield to attack and forces opponents to adjust to Spurs rather than the other way around.

His season-ending injury removes one of their most important attacking figures at a pivotal moment.

Results highlight the gap he leaves.

Spurs win a higher percentage of Premier League matches when Simons starts and average more goals - scoring 1.5 per game compared with one when he is not in the starting XI.

Recent displays underline the scale of his contribution.

In the 2-2 draw with Brighton and the 1-0 win over Wolves - their first victory of 2026 - Simons created more chances (four) than any other Spurs player and led the side for shots (six). He was also among the top contributors for touches in the box, ball carries and completed passes.

Those figures show how he drives Spurs forward and sustains pressure in advanced areas. Without that, the risk is Spurs lose a key source of control in matches where small margins could shape their season.

The challenge is heightened by what comes next.

Spurs face Aston Villa and Chelsea - both chasing Champions League places - then meet Leeds, who are not yet safe, before a final-day trip to Everton, where David Moyes may still be pushing for Europe.

Read more about Simons' season-ending injury here

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League striker Jermaine Beckford says Xavi Simons has been one of two "standout performers" in Tottenham's squad this season, despite the club currently sitting two points off of Premier League safety with four games to go.

However, after being carried off on a stretcher in the second half of Spurs' 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday, the attacking midfielder has since been ruled out for the rest of this campaign with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

"He has given Tottenham a bit of a spark this season," Beckford told BBC Radio 5 Live breakfast. "The club hasn't had many players who have looked like they have something to genuinely offer or who could be proud of leaving everything on the line week in week out this season.

"He was a bit of a slow burner at first, but he has been one of two standout performers for me this season along with Archie Gray.

"{ACL] is such a difficult injury to come back from. It is a bad one.

"The recovery period is between seven and nine months, if you're able to do your rehab properly, but he does have youth on his side and he should be able to recover fully.

"However, it will take him a bit of time to catch up with the pace and trust his own body again."

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham have confirmed attacking midfielder Xavi Simons has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

The 23-year-old fell to the ground following a collision with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno on Saturday and, after initially getting to his feet, went down again.

"They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way," Simons, who will have surgery in the coming weeks, wrote in a social media post.

"My season has come to an abrupt end and I'm just trying to process it. Honestly, I'm heartbroken. None of it makes sense.

"All I've wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me... along with the World Cup.

"Representing my country this summer... just gone. It'll take time to find peace with this, but I'll continue to be the best team-mate I can be. I have no doubt that together we'll win this fight.

"I'll walk this path now, guided by faith, with strength, with resilience, with belief, as I count down the days to getting back out there.

"Be patient with me."

How big a blow is Simons' injury for Spurs as they battle relegation? And who do they turn to now, given the extensive injury list in north London?

Get in touch with your views here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Mark: Never looked like scoring. No obvious threat tactics. Busy trying not to lose and giving the opposition the initiative in the process.

Dan: A major rebuild is needed in the summer to have any chance of surviving, never mind coming straight back up. The only gameplan I can see is to keep it 0-0 until 70 minutes and then try to nick it at the end. We are already down, so why not just go for it and let the fans be entertained for a change?

Wol: Another poor performance. First half was terrible but I thought we were better after the break. No threat up front again. A lot of this squad will leave and I don't think Fosun will invest massively in the summer and we will see academy players coming through. I don't think that we will get automatic promotion but will possibly finish in the play-offs with the new format coming in next season. Cheaper season tickets is a bonus for us but was done in the hope it will help fill the ground.

Mel: It was a very poor performance from start to finish. The defence looks very weak and we didn't look like the home team. Midfield effort was there but clearly not good enough to compete at Premier League level. Going forward, why would we persist in pumping high balls to a player much smaller than Spurs’ defenders? Clearly, we have to rebuild the team from back to front, otherwise we are going to struggle in the Championship. Such a disappointing season and the supporters deserve so much more.

Tottenham fans

Dave: Kinsky's save was massive. He was my man of the match. Defence more solid. Midfield combative but still lacked creativity. Solanke and Simons big losses for the rest of our campaign. Overall, high marks for effort and application… there's no doubt we are getting better.

Bert: This hard-fought victory against the bottom side of the Premier League leaves a bitter taste. Nothing in our performance suggests we have any chance of avoiding relegation. Meanwhile, West Ham showed more drive and determination.

Ian: After 70 years of loyal support, nothing surprises me about Spurs. Champions or relegated, it seems it's all the same to some of these players. I think I'm too old to plough my way through another season like this.

Christopher: Finally, a win in the league and well deserved. Sure, it wasn't pretty and Wolves were poor - but the signs are encouraging under De Zerbi. A pattern of play and more forward passing rather than hopeful long balls. The fans were superb as usual before during and afterwards. COYS.

Manchester United are closely monitoring Xavi Simons' situation at Tottenham as they consider moving for the midfielder in the summer. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Atletico Madrid are set to rival Tottenham for 32-year-old Scotland defender Andy Robertson, who has confirmed he will leave Liverpool when his contract expires in June. (Daily Record), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Tottenham had not won in the Premier League since a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on 28 December, and Roberto de Zerbi had underlined the importance of their trip to Molineux.

"I don't want to put pressure but we have to know the situation," he said in the week. "We can't forget the table; we can't forget we need to win.

"What we have done until now is not enough. If we win at Wolves, it's not finished."

It is certainly not finished, but with games running out there was little urgency from Spurs in the first half in Wolverhampton.

Safe passing with little creativity showed their nerves, and eight defeats in 11 in all competitions explained a lack of confidence.

It was something De Zerbi picked up on and he wants to see the victory affect his players' mentality.

"I hope this result can change something in our head," he said. "For the other results, it's already very tough to win a game for us. If we put our heads in the other teams it will be too tough for me.

"The players know what they can do on the pitch, especially this season. We didn't win a game in 2026 but in the Champions League [league phase] they finished fourth.

"They have to be positive and they have to feel full of confidence because they are good and [should not look at] the other results."

It was De Zerbi's first win in his third game as Tottenham boss, having lost to Sunderland and drawn with his former club Brighton.

Tottenham will go to fifth-placed Aston Villa on Sunday, 3 May with De Zerbi confident survival can be achieved.

"I believe we can stay up. If I am here it's because I am positive. The most important thing is the quality of the players and human level of the players," De Zerbi said.

"It was a surprise for me because I didn't know them. When I knew the players better I understood we have the chance to stay up.

"When you watch the game from the TV or the stands you can't understand if they have the right spirit or attitude. I work with them every day and all the players are professional, good guys. They are suffering from the situation.

"We need to stay strong in the head."

Read more here

Pundits Martin Keown and Steph Houghton join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham 2-1 Everton

• Wolves 0-1 Tottenham

• Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi says the win over Wolves was important for their mentality, telling BBC Sport: "We were working for a win.

"We played 30-35 mins very well in the first half. We didn't create many chances but we had control.

"(In the second half) maybe the pressure to win this game, we didn't play well, but today the three points was very important. We can prepare for the next four games."

De Zerbi insisted Spurs have to keep the ball better than they did in the second half, though praised his players' spirit: "We have to play, we can't lose our style or lose the order on the pitch - we can't show the quality of the players if we play like we did in the second half, but in terms of attitude and spirit - great 90 minutes.

"Without the ball we can't win the game. These players are good enough to win with the ball. We can play much better than the second half."

Spurs match-winner Joao Palhinha told BBC Sport: "Hopefully it changes something.

"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."

On the relegation battle: "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."

Did you know?

• Tottenham won in the Premier League for the first time since December 28th 2025 (also 1-0, v Crystal Palace), ending a 15-game winless run in the competition.

• Only Richarlison (9) has scored more goals for Tottenham in the Premier League this season than João Palhinha (4). Seven of Palhinha's 11 goals in the competition have been scored from corners, including today's winner.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There is fight in this Tottenham side.

In the first half, there was little quality, urgency and courage on show but Spurs managed to grind out their first win under Roberto de Zerbi just as it looked like all was lost.

Nottingham Forest's thumping 5-0 win at Sunderland on Friday piled the pressure on De Zerbi's side, leaving them eight points behind one of their relegation rivals.

West Ham's thrilling finish against Everton - where the Hammers conceded late before Callum Wilson's injury time winner - also put Spurs fans through an emotional rollercoaster.

Before Joao Palhinha prodded in from close range, Spurs looked set to finish the day four points from safety with four games left.

Not long after, following Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's leveller for Everton, they were out of the bottom three – only to drop back in with the late drama at the London Stadium.

There will be more twists in the final four games – Spurs' fixtures against Aston Villa, Leeds, Chelsea and Everton – but Tottenham are clinging on.

They were poor and struggled to break down an already relegated Wolves side and relied on a scrappy goal from a corner but that was all they needed.

Tottenham kept going but they will need more bravery if they are going to save themselves.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of Spurs' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Wolves boss Rob Edwards makes five changes from the side who lost at Leeds last weekend.

Jose Sa, Pedro Lima, Matt Doherty, Rodrigo Gomes and Mateus Mane start for the hosts who are already relegated - at Molineux.

Dan Bentley, Jackson Tchatchoua, Angel Gomes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde drop to the bench with Ladislav Krejci out injured.

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

Subs: Bentley, Tchatchoua, Olagunju, Wolfe, A Gomes, Bellegarde, Edozie, Hwang, Arokodare.

Djed Spence returns for Destiny Udogie in Tottenham's only change.

Spurs are 18th and two points behind West Ham - who host Everton this afternoon - and have not won in the Premier League since December.

James Maddison is on the bench again as he closes in on a return following a serious knee injury he suffered in August.

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

Subs: Austin, Dragusin, Palhinha, Richarlison, Maddison, Tel, Gray, Bergvall, Souzs

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Fulham v Aston Villa (12:30)

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace

• West Ham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wolves v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Arsenal v Newcastle (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also watch, listen a follow live text of the FA Cup semi-final between Man City and Southampton here (kick-off 17:15)

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Newcastle", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Tottenham could not beat Wolves at home earlier in the season - they needed a 94th-minute equaliser to avoid defeat in September - but they simply have to beat them this time.

Can Roberto De Zerbi's side win three of their final five games and save themselves from the drop?

Of course they can, but it has to start here. Imagine the psychological damage to the Spurs players and their fans if they don't win this one.

Wolves are officially down now but we have known that will happen for a while.

The pressure is all on Spurs and for them to find a way of winning this game.

If Thomas Frank had stayed in charge and maintained his record of 1.12 points per game, then Spurs would be on 37 points now, in 16th.

Instead, they are in the relegation zone and worrying about how the teams above them are doing as well as trying to pick up points themselves.

From watching them, there is nothing that suggests Tottenham will win this time after failing to win any of their previous 15 league games.

Similarly, they have not kept a clean sheet for 14 league games, so why would they manage one now?

But I am going to go against the grain here. Spurs absolutely must win this game, so I am going to say they will - and also that Wolves won't score.

I know that is a ridiculous prediction, and I don't even really believe it will happen myself, but then nothing about Spurs' season makes sense when you study it.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here