De Zerbi hails Spurs win as key to survival fight

Joao Palhinha’s precious late goal secured all three points for the London club, who won a league match for the first time in 2026.

For a few minutes Spurs appeared to be heading out of the relegation zone before a late West Ham winner against Everton.

The Hammers’ goal lifted them to 36 points, two clear of Tottenham, who remain third from bottom with four games to go.

Wolves and Burnley are already doomed.

De Zerbi celebrated his first win as Tottenham head coach after replacing interim boss Igor Tudor earlier this month.

“I am happy for the result. I am happy because it was important to win a game after Brighton, because also with Brighton we deserved to win,” he told Sky Sports, referring to last week’s 2-2 draw at home.

Spurs, the ninth-richest club in the world, are battling to avoid the nightmare of a first relegation since 1977.

De Zerbi said Saturday’s dramatic victory would lift the mood at the club, even though the positions in the table had stayed the same.

“Nothing changed on the table because West Ham won at the end of the game, but after these three points we can prepare much better for the next games,” he said.

The Italian added: “We have to believe and to stay up and to win the games because we have the quality enough to win the games.

“The players are very good players and these three points I think and I hope they can become important for the head, for the mentality, for the enthusiasm to prepare the next games.”