Needing a win to secure Premier League football for next season, Tottenham Hotspur secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Everton on Sunday.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men knew that anything but a win would open the door for West Ham United to leapfrog them in the table, and despite a positive start, the Spurs’ supporters were beginning to get nervous as half-time neared.
However, the hosts took the lead two minutes from the interval thanks to Joao Palhinha, who showed great reaction in the box to fire beyond Jordan Pickford.
That was his second game-winner in the space of a month, having also netted the decisive goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Beyond his goal, Palhinha was crucial in helping Tottenham secure maximum points. He recorded 12 defensive contributions, completed 87% of his passes, won 10 of his 13 ground duels, created two chances, and took five shots.
That is as all-round a display as can be in a game where Spurs had little margin for error with their top-flight status hanging in the balance.
Palhinha was hailed as a ‘massive star’ earlier in the season, and while the on-loan Bayern Munich man is facing an uncertain future this summer amid interest from elsewhere, Tottenham would do well to retain his services.
After an undeniably underwhelming campaign in North London, Spurs have a lot of work to do in the market if they are to avoid a repeat of their disastrous 2025-26 journey. In the meantime, they will be thrilled to have beaten the drop.