Stop the clock, the long wait it over. After 118 days and 15 games in the Premier League under three different managers, Tottenham have done it.
Victory at last and never did an untidy goal against a team already doomed to the drop ever taste so sweet.
Joao Palhinha came off the bench to score it in the 82nd minute, turning a misdirected shot from Richarlison into the net from close range after a corner fell at the feet of the Brazilian.
Back in September, Palhinha had rescued a point for Spurs with a 95th minute equaliser against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Here at Molineux, his goal was even more valuable as West Ham found a late winner against Everton.
The Spurs win was preserved by a brilliant stoppage time save by Antonin Kinsky from a Joao Gomes free kick and sparked wild celebrations of relief.
Spurs earned their first victory of 2026 thanks to Joao Palhinha’s late winner at Wolves
But it wasn’t enough to climb Tottenham out of the relegation zone – with West Ham winning
New boss Roberto De Zerbi pumped his fists and roared in front of the away fans at the end.
The Londoners avoided the ignominy of equalling their club record 16 games without a win set in 1934-35, a season in which they were relegated and Arsenal won the title. That omen is out of the way.
The Spurs fight, however, is far from over. With four games remaining, the West Ham win means they are still cut two points adrift in the bottom three.
More concerning perhaps, De Zerbi’s team were passive for large parts of this game against mediocre opponents.
Injuries too are piling up again. Dominic Solanke, the first choice centre forward, and Xavi Simons, the main creative force, were both forced off at Molineux.
But at least they are alive and kicking.
De Zerbi said one win could change everything. After the draw against Brighton last weekend, he claimed they could win the last five.
Well, that’s one of the five. Next comes a trip to Aston Villa who will be between the two legs of their Europa League semi final and could be distracted. Then home games against Leeds and Everton either side of a trip across the capital to Chelsea.
There had been signs of life against Brighton and Spurs opened with purpose.
They moved the ball at good tempo, generated forward momentum and forced mistakes from a Wolves team who were back at home after two heavy defeats on the road.
Early chances were not taken by Spurs. First, from a free kick taken by Porro and headed square by Kevin Danso, just beyond the reach of Solanke, whose claims for a foul were quickly dismissed.
Then through Randal Kolo Muani, who lashed a shot wide after a misplaced pass by Andre. Kolo Muani has been a target for De Zerbi’s ego massage techniques.
The Spurs boss has been peppering him with YouTube footage of his prolific form for Eintracht Frankfurt but this was another underwhelming display, and it ended at half time.
Mathys Tel, his replacement, performed with more energy and threat.
Tottenham’s injury list grew with Dominic Solanke forced off with a suspected hamstring issue
Spurs lost the early impetus as Wolves found a better rhythm and the contest fell flat as it was disrupted by stoppages for injuries.
Solanke, who missed five months of the season with an ankle injury, was struck down again and limped off after on-pitch treatment in the 40th minute looking disconsolate as he was replaced by Richarlison.
Since his arrival on the last day of March, De Zerbi has lost Mohamed Kudus, Cristian Romero, Udogie and now Solanke and Simons to injuries.
Yves Bissouma required treatment after a strong challenge by Andre at the end of the first half which earned a yellow card for the Wolves midfielder.
News that Tomas Soucek had given West Ham the lead against Everton filtered through to Molineux early in the second half and Wolves fans taunted the visitors with a chorus of “Going Down with the Wanderers” just as Simons wriggled free in the penalty area but fired too high under pressure from Santiago Bueno.
It was his last significant contribution before leaving on a stretcher. Simons was hurt in an innocuous incident with Hugo Bueno, the pair of them chasing a ball out of touch for a Wolves goal kick.
He seemed twist the joint on the fringe of the turf and there was genuine concern from other players who hurried the Spurs physios onto the pitch.
Simons though climbed to his feet and appeared determined to continue but after bouncing up and down on the touchline collapsed again to the ground.
Wolves threatened when the game restarted. Kinsky raced out to foil Adam Armstrong and Hugo Bueno swerved a free kick over before Jose Sa made a fabulous save to frustrate Rodrigo Bentancur.
Neither side had a shot on target in the first half on what was a tense occasion at Molineux
The Spurs midfielder made excellent contact with a header from a Porro corner and clearly expected to find the net and howled into the sky when Sa kept it out.
The elusive goal did come though, turned in from another corner by Palhinha to send a wave of relief through the team.
De Zerbi bolstered his defence with Radu Dragusin but the visitors still required the flying save by Kinsky to secure three points.
Finally they have figured out a way to win again.
