Joao Palhinha delivered a late winner as Tottenham Hotspur secured a crucial Premier League victory at Molineux, but the result did little to ease the pressure in their relegation battle, with survival still hanging in the balance.
Spurs finally ended their long wait for a top-flight win since December, edging a tense contest, yet the relief was tempered as West Ham United also claimed a dramatic victory over Everton to keep the bottom-half scramble wide open. Tottenham remain third from bottom and two points adrift of safety with just four games left.
The match was far from straightforward for Spurs, with manager Roberto De Zerbi watching his side struggle to impose themselves despite dominating possession in a flat first half. Injuries added to their difficulties as Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons were both forced off. Simons had earlier come close, firing over after a strong run past Matt Doherty, while Jose Sa produced a sharp save to deny Rodrigo Bentancur.
The breakthrough eventually arrived seven minutes from time when Palhinha reacted quickest in the box to prod home from close range. Spurs still had to endure late pressure, with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky making a crucial stoppage-time save to deny Joao Gomes and secure the three points.
Elsewhere in the relegation picture, West Ham produced their own late drama at the London Stadium. Tomas Soucek had given the hosts the lead before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall levelled two minutes from time, briefly threatening to drag the Hammers closer to danger. However, Callum Wilson, introduced in the 81st minute, struck in stoppage time to seal a vital win and move West Ham two points clear of the drop zone.
At Anfield, Liverpool strengthened their grip on a Champions League spot with a win over Crystal Palace. Alexander Isak opened the scoring with his first league goal at Anfield since his £125 million move from Newcastle United, lifting a dipping effort over Dean Henderson.
With both Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili unavailable, third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman made his league debut and impressed early on, including a key diving save from Jean-Philippe Mateta. Liverpool doubled their lead through Andy Robertson, who finished a flowing counter-attack sparked by Curtis Jones.
Crystal Palace threatened a response when Daniel Munoz scored from distance with Woodman down injured, and Jorgen Strand Larsen later struck the post as pressure mounted. However, Liverpool sealed the result deep into stoppage time when Florian Wirtz fired home to complete a third straight league win.
