Roberto De Zerbi had said he wanted no crying in his camp after Brighton scored their late equaliser last week, and it was just as the Wolves fans had started chanting “You’re going to cry in a minute” that the substitute João Palhinha struck the goal that briefly helped Tottenham climb out of the relegation zone and avoid a club record of 16 consecutive league games without a win.
The Spurs manager ran on to the pitch, pumping his fists, after the Portugal midfielder, played onside by the former Spurs defender Matt Doherty, slid in to score after Richarlison had scuffed a shot goalwards when Pedro Porro’s corner fell his way in the 82nd minute.
When news of Everton’s equaliser at West Ham then broke, the Spurs fans were celebrating as if final-day salvation was secured. Their joy was short-lived as West Ham then went back in front to move two points ahead in this two-way tussle to avoid the final relegation berth, but at least the Spurs manager has the first of the five wins he is targeting to keep his team in the Premier League.
Even losing Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons to injury, taking the absences to 11, could not prevent De Zerbi celebrating his first win as Spurs manager, and the club’s first in the Premier League since 28 December.
