Report, result and goals as Palhinha gives Spurs vital victory
Joao Palhinha struck late on to end Tottenham’s 15-game winless run and give them a vital three points in the battle to avoid relegation.
The midfielder found the net in the 83rd minute as Spurs narrowly overcame already-relegated Wolves in a nervy 1-0 win at Molineux.
Spurs remain in the bottom three, but the result keeps them within two points of West Ham, who beat Everton courtesy of a late Callum Wilson goal.
A tense, goalless first half yielded few chances for either side. Spurs largely dominated possession but failed to test Wolves keeper Jose Sa.
After the break, the hosts went close when a deep cross from the left was flicked on by Pedro Lima.
The ball fell to the onrushing Mateus Mane, but the forward could only divert his header over Antonin Kinsky’s crossbar.
Adam Armstrong flashed a header narrowly past the post as the already-relegated Wolves looked to heap further misery onto Spurs.
But with less than 10 minutes remaining, the visitors gave themselves a lifeline. From a corner, the ball dropped to Richarlison, whose towards the far post fell the way of the stretching Palhinha.
The midfielder, who netted late on in the reverse fixture, turned the ball home to send the travelling fans into raptures.
Roberto De Zerbi cut an animated figure on the sidelines as his side looked to see out the game.
With seconds remaining, Kinsky preserved the points for Spurs when he clawed Joao Gomes’ goal-bound free-kick out of the top corner.
It proved the last action of the game. After 118 days, Tottenham had a victory in the league to keep their survival hopes alive.
Line-ups
Wolves starting XI: Jose Sa, Pedro Lima, Matt Doherty, Santiago Bueno, Toti Gomes, Hugo Bueno, Andre Trindade, Joao Gomes, Rodrigo Gomes, Mateus Mane, Adam Armstrong
Wolves substitutes: Daniel Bentley, Harvey Wolfe, Hwang Hee-chan, Tolu Arokodare, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Jackson Tchatchoua, Angel Gomes, Saheed Olagunju, Tyrese Edozie
Tottenham starting XI: Antonin Kinsky, Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Conor Gallagher, Randal Kolo Muani, Xavi Simons, Dominic Solanke
Tottenham substitutes: Brandon Austin, Djed Spence, Radu Dragusin, Joao Palhinha, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison, Mathys Tel, Richarlison
