This is the same situation in the relegation battle as West Ham and Tottenham face off against Nottingham Forest on Friday night, with all three relegation-threatened teams keen to avoid joining Burnley and Wolves in the Championship next season.
Their victory also lifted Leeds back into the standings, already on 40 points. But on a Saturday packed with second-half drama, West Ham and Tottenham produced late winners. Spurs were four points down at one stage, but then they were completely out of the drop zone!
They finished where they started. They fell two points behind their London rivals but had renewed confidence thanks to Joao Parinha’s 82nd-minute winner to beat Wolves at Molineux. It was Spurs’ first Premier League win of 2026, and their first under manager Roberto De Zerbi.
For Nuno, the pain when Keiynan Dewsbury-Hall canceled out Tomas Soucek’s opener and equalized in the 88th minute was replaced by joy when Callum Wilson grabbed all three points in stoppage time. The Hammers have been ranked sixth since mid-January.
What the managers said…
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo:
“It’s not going to be easy for anyone. I think it’s going to be a big battle until the end. But the good thing is we’re not giving up. We’re still going. I think the momentum, especially here at the London Stadium, is a big factor in the Premier League.”
Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi:
“I hope this result can change something in our heads, mentally and for other results. It’s really, really difficult for us to win games. If I was worrying about other teams, it would be too hard for me.”
“They have to stay positive and have full confidence. It’s not about looking at other results because they are good, for example West Ham. Then we have to move on and prepare for the next game. Now the first game will be at Villa Park and that’s it.”
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Free to watch: Highlights of the Premier League match between West Ham and Everton
Parinya ready for “four finals”
Joao Parinha said this after Spurs’ victory.
“What we have had to date has not been a normal season. We all have a responsibility for this season, but the reality is that there are four finals in the league and we have to do our job.
“Hopefully this win can change what happened in the past and give us a little more motivation as well, because we’ve been without a win for a long time, especially in some games where we needed to get a little more, a lot more points.”
“I think it’s often been the case, but sometimes it’s the details that matter. But what we can control now is to do our job until the end of the season and keep the club where it belongs, in the Premier League.”
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Watch for free: Premier League Wolves vs Spurs highlights
Could Tottenham’s injuries be a factor?
One concern for Spurs is that the win came at the cost of Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons being sent off injured, with Cristian Romero and Mohamed Kudus joining the injured list since De Zerbi’s arrival. For Italians, this is a problem that can be avoided.
“Solanke has a muscular injury. We don’t know the extent of the injury, but in Xavi’s case it’s a knee problem. We’ll see him in the next few days, Monday or Tuesday,” De Zerbi said.
Tottenham’s Xavi Simmons appears to have been injured before being stretchered off against Wolves
“It’s not a big problem for Solanke. I don’t know how many games he lost, but I would like to know the situation with Xavi, because a knee injury is always different from a muscle injury. I spoke to him two minutes ago and he feels better than he did at the beginning of the injury.”
“I don’t want to lose other players, because Romero, Kudus, now Solanke and maybe Xavi. We can win games with players, not coaches. The coach is important, but the players are more important. But I want to be positive.”
Leeds and Forest are still not safe!
Former Nottingham Forest and Tottenham defender Michael Dawson said on Saturday’s Soccer Show.
“Psychologically, we are talking about a relegation battle and Spurs are not in that relegation battle and the players are not in this situation either, but you know they are fighting and you can see it.
“And you say, how have the last 15 games been? Yes, they don’t always have what they deserve, but they’re way below par.
“But today they showed fighting spirit. That will be a big bonus for Roberto de Zerbi, you can see his emotions. That momentum could change now.”
“Let me tell you, the relationship between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest is not over yet. Leeds United have to play West Ham on the final day and have to go to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, so there’s still a lot of football to be played.”
