PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 24TH MAY, 2026
(4 PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(1) EVERTON 0(0)

Spurs scorer:-
Palhinha, 43

Attendance:- TBC

Referee:- Michael Oliver
Assistants:- Stuart Burt, James Mainwaring
Fourth official:- Bobby Madley
VAR:- Paul Tierney
Assistant VAR:- Mark Scholes

Teams:-
Spurs (4-2-3-1):- 31. Kinsky; 23. Pedro Porro, 4. Danso, 37. Van de Ven (Capt.), 13. Udogie (sub 3. Dragusin, 90); 30. Bentancur (sub 14. Gray, 82), 6. Palhinha; 24. Spence, 22. Gallagher (sub 10. Maddison, 82), 11. Tel (sub 29. Sarr, 73); 9. Richarlison (sub 39. Kolo-Muani, 73)

Subs not used:- 1. Vicario; 8. Bissouma, 15. Bergvall; 19. Solanke

Booked:- Sarr (simulation), Palhinha (handball), Kinsky (time)

Everton (4-2-3-1):- 1. Pickford; 15. O'Brien (sub 45. Armstrong, 62), 6. Tarkowski (Capt.), 5. Keane, 16. Mykolenko; 37. Garner, 42. Iroegbunam (sub 23. Coleman, 84); 34. Rohl (sub 19. George, 62), 10. Ndiaye, 22. Dewsbury-Hall (sub 24. Alcaraz, 84); 11. Barry (sub 9. Beto, 84)

Subs not used:- 12. Travers; 39. Aznou; 7. McNeil, 20. Dibling

Booked:- O'Brien (foul on Tel), Tarkowski (foul on Danso)

Tears of joy and relief as Spurs survive

Roberto de Zerbi's Spurs side produced the performance they needed to keep West Ham in the bottom three and relegate them for the first time in 15 years. For me, no gloating is involved in this result. I simply shed tears of joy and relief at the final whistle as Spurs ensured their current run in the top flight enters a 49th year next season.

It's the first time since 1975 that Spurs have suffered such a last day scenario. It must never happen again.

Joao Palhinha scored the vital goal towards the end of the first half. It was his seventh goal of the season and of those no less than three gained us precious points. Those goals were at home and away against Wolves, plus today's winner.

Club captain Cristian Romero had returned from Argentina to witness proceedings. Let us remember that he too scored vital point-winning goals at Newcastle in December and Burnley in January. Romero could be seen on the touchline together with the injured Dejan Kulusevski and Mohamed Kudus.

The match was played in searingly hot conditions in front of a home crowd, whose fantastic support surely carried us over the line. There were titanic performances on the field though from match-winner Palhinha, captain Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Pedro Porro, and goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who made an astounding save in the closing minutes from Everton substitute Tyrique George, who was signed on loan from Chelsea in January.

Once again, we have witnessed Kinsky's total redemption from his disaster in Madrid. De Zerbi's faith in Kinsky has been justified and fully rewarded. Remember, Kinsky made vital saves at Molineux, and against Leeds.

As for De Zerbi, he had already committed himself to Spurs' future, come what may, and I hope he is due a bonus for keeping us up. He deserves it. The passion and desire he displays has been transmitted to the team, which gained 11 points in Roberto's seven games.

Spurs huddled in front of the South Stand before Everton kicked off and played towards the same stand. Not that we saw too much of them in that area in the first half.

Despite the heat, Spurs played with energy and desire, dominating the visitors, without giving England's World Cup goalkeeper Jordan Pickford too much to worry about. Everton did win a corner after only 22 seconds, but that was hit deep and defended stoutly.

Gallagher and Bentancur also gave sterling performances in midfield. Both have been to the fore in De Zerbi's short reign. Bentancur was fouled 25 yards out after an advance by Gallagher and Udogie. Pedro Porro took the kick, and we won a corner on the right.

After a good move featuring Gallagher and Spence (who had replaced Muani in the starting line-up), Pedro Porro had a left-footed shot blocked. We had a throw on the right following which Pickford and Keane collided. The ball fell to Gallagher, whose rising left-footed shot hit the side netting.

Spurs were on top and Spence won another corner out on the right. This was taken by Tel and resulted in a shot by Danso which passed wide.

O'Brien took an early yellow card for halting Tel's run. Pedro Porro took the kick which went beyond the back post where Palhinha fired over.

There was a re-hydration break midway through both halves, which was also an opportunity for the coaches to drum some tactics into their players. David Moyes clearly had an effect upon his team, who spent more time in our half.

Ndiaye made a threatening run into our area which was ended by Palhinha's interception. Pedro Porro led us forward after the Everton corner and this time Palhinha won a corner with his deflected shot. Danso had a header blocked after Tel's corner. Tel had a shot blocked himself after a Pedro Porro ball.

Spurs won another corner on the left, delivered by Tel. Palhinha rose and headed the ball against the post. The ball rebounded to Joao whose shot beat Pickford and just passed over the goal-line despite Barry's effort to clear. Kevin Danso smashed in for good measure, but referee Michael Oliver indicated that goal-line technology had confirmed the goal.

After looking back to confirm the goal was given, Palhinha raced towards the touch line and substitute plus Romero joined the raucous celebrations. Substitute goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario hugged De Zerbi. The crowd stood and roared with delight. Noise levels were beyond any heard all season. How we could have done with such passion on and off the field all season.

The second half was delayed due to an assistant referee's communication equipment. Thus, West Ham would be finishing before us, but at this point they were 0-0 and Spurs were in an excellent position.

There was an early fumble by Pickford from a shot by Spence which resulted in a corner. This led to a deflected shot by Pedro Porro and another corner.

Everton were now gaining more possession, and Spurs seemed more intent upon defending their lead rather than gung-ho attacking. This would lead to some tension in the crowd, especially after we heard West Ham were 1-0 up, but personally, knowing that Everton needed two goals and had yet to lay a hand on us, I was feeling quite confident in our position.

Another drinks interval took place without significant action on the field. Tel was replaced by Sarr and Richarlison by Muani. I didn't observe much from Kolo-Muani, who surely will return to his home club PSG. Muani did have a shot (hit far too high) after a corner won on the right by Gallagher. Sarr was booked for simulation after going to ground inside the Everton area.

More substitutions followed with Maddison replacing Gallagher. Gallagher received a standing ovation. Maddison was cheered onto the pitch, but in truth, he added little to the mix, apart from his passion. Archie Gray was cheered on when he relieved Bentancur. Gray had been voted our player of the season and young player of the year but has not been used too much by the new coach.

David Moyes introduced three sets of fresh legs. George had come on much earlier and gave us a scare with a short cross that passed in front of Kinsky but was cleared by Van de Ven. Tensions were rising around me. Palhinha was booked for a handball. Kevin Danso went down but got up before treatment was required. Danso has given his all to the cause and his name was chanted loudly by the crowd.

Dragusin replaced Udogie to reinforce our defence. We had nine minutes of added time to survive. Michael Keane headed over from a corner. Substitute Alcaraz headed wide from another cross. Kinsky made a spectacular flying one-handed save from George's shot to his left, leading to another corner.

The final whistle followed another Everton corner and the celebrations could begin. I shed tears of joy and relief and shared smiles with countless other happy fans. I hugged my son Greg, who, with me, has been a season ticket holder for the last 32 years. We will be back next season. We do all know that the hierarchy at the club needs to address their major issues in the summer break.

I've been in fear of relegation since the turn of the year really, probably as far back as our 3-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest. As a matter of course, I do prepare notes on every team for next season. I've lived in fear of having to discard all that work and to research new opponents. Hence the degree of my personal relief and joy.

Spurs won this game with only their third home league win of the season and their first (at home) for nearly 6 months. They also gained their first league double of the season.

We won't be playing in Europe next season (9 teams could be if Palace win their Conference League final on Wednesday), but we will be playing Premier League football, with plenty of Sunday games. Another 60,000 seater stadium near Stratford will be witnessing Championship football. Thank goodness for that!

Have a great summer!

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