Tottenham’s future was in their hands heading into today’s final Premier League matchday, and despite the loss to Chelsea they knew that they could secure their place in next season’s first division with a win or a draw against Everton. Spurs got their win — their first at home since December of 2025 — thanks to a scruffy first half goal from Joao Palhinha, seconds after he fired a header off the frame of the goal. Tottenham were dominant from the opening kick for this one even as they struggled
with their finishing — they outshot Everton 20-10 but only won the xG by 0.99 – 0.38 — but their defense was exceptional. Spurs barely let Everton near their own box until late in the second half and put in a gutsy, hard fought performance against an Everton side that, despite having nothing to play for, gave it their all.
This has been an horrible, awful, stressful and painful season, but at least it ends on a high note — Tottenham now have an incredible opportunity to overhaul the team and start the process of improving for next season. There’s a lot of work to be done. The hard work starts now.
Here are my final match reactions for Spurs’ win!
Match Reactions
- My daughter was in the stadium today for her first ever Spurs match in person. Tottenham Hotspur are now undefeated whenever there’s a George-Miller in the stadium. #statistics
- WE! ARE! STAYING UP! SAY WE ARE STAYING UP!!
- For the final match of the season it’s very similar to what he put out the past few games. The biggest difference: Randal Kolo Muani is benched for an out of position Djed Spence at RW.
- Really bright start for Spurs early — they were pressing high and keeping the ball, getting into dangerous areas and not letting Everton get a foothold in the match.
- Very on brand for Micky van de Ven to get fouled (and potentially hurt) for the crime of getting kicked in the shin. These PGMOL refs, I swear to God…
- Spurs continued the main problem they’ve had the past few matches under De Zerbi — lots of good possession, lots of good defense, but the attackers just have few ideas on what to do when the ball gets in and around the box. It’s honestly a skill issue — Spurs need more and better finishers.
- PALHINHAAAAAAAAAAAA! I confess I spent most of the first half super annoyed at how ponderous he was on the ball, but that was a scrappy, scrappy goal to put Spurs ahead! That second ball after he headed off the post was across the line probably by millimeters but that’s why you have goal line tech. SPURS LEAD!
- Spence and Tel were both great on the wings, but I spent most of the match wondering why Spurs weren’t running Tel straight at O’Brien, who was on an early yellow, with every possession.
- Gallagher had something of a Jekyll & Hyde match — tenacious in the press and put in some good tackles but also had some real head-scratching moments in possession, and with his passing.
- Strong match from Pedro Porro who made some very good defensive challenges and also some inviting balls in from the flanks.
- I was begging for subs midway through the second half but was very confused to see Richy and Tel come off for Sarr and Kolo Muani — RDZ clearly wanted a little more heft in midfield for the closing stretch.
- West Ham’s win made this a lot nervier than any of us wanted, but Spurs ended up doing what they needed to do. Their future was completely in their hands and they pulled it off.
- Nice of Everton to give the shambling corpse of Seamus Coleman a proper send-off at the end.
- Tottenham getting nine minutes of ET while West Ham, who scored three goals in the second half, get 4 perfectly summarizes how the PGMOL match officials treat Spurs compared to other clubs. Incredible.
- Look, I still don’t like Roberto De Zerbi, and I likely never will. But I will concede that this Spurs team responded to him, and that in this case, coaching mattered a lot. He did a good job. Now he needs to win me over next season.
- Job done. Spurs survive. Now the hard work begins — this club needs a complete overhaul. Hopefully they get it.
